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WAE PICTURES. 




md ^MmMwm 



OF A 'X - 



CHAPLAm m THE U. S. ARMY, 



IN THE 



WAR OF THE SOUTHERN REBELLION. 



BY REV. jr. B. liOGtERS, 

Chaplaiu of the 14th Wis. Vols. 



•' — The spacious earth 
Ne'er saw a race who held, by right of birth, 
So many objects to which love is due." 

Wordsworth, 



CHICAGO: 

51 La Salle Street. 
1863. 



Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1S63, by 

REV. J. B. ROGERS, 

In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States, 

for the Northern District of Illinois. 






LYMAN 4; ZEESE, 
STEREOTYPERS, 

47 South Clark Street, 

CHICAGO. 



CUSHINa, CASHMAN ft CO. , 

PRINTERS, 

^1 & 53 La Salle Street, 

flUCAGO. 



f)^ 



.\ 



A1^0 



RECOMMENDATIONS. 



[From Hon. Mark Skinneu, President of the Chicago Sanitary Commission.] 

Chicago, May 6th, 1863. 
Messrs. Church & Goodman : 

I have read the advance sheets of that portion of the Rev. Mr. 
Bogers' work, entitled "War Pictures," &c., which you kindly 
placed in my hands, and take pleasure in saying that the contents 
are both instructive and interesting. No chapter in the world's 
history will be read in the future with deeper interest, or be more 
thoughtfully stndied, than the one which will contain the account of 
this strange and frantic rebellion. Every truthful contribution, 
therefore, whatever its literary merit, which goes to cast light upon 
the record of events and illustrate the progress of the movement, 
has intrinsic and permanent value. Army Chaplains have not hith- 
erto figured as memorialists of war movements and battle scenes, 
and it is something of a novelty to look at such events from their 
stand-point. Mr. Rogers tells his story plainly and simply, and as 
the work of an observing, unambitious, loyal, Christian gentleman, 
thoroughly in earnest to discharge his whole duty, his book has an 
interest and value that cannot fail to be appreciated. As the frank 
testimony of an eye-witness, written down cotemporaneously with 
the scenes and events i*ecorded, it has a freshness and vivacity which 
is peculiar to works of its class. To those who were participants in 
the stirring and eventful scenes pictured so clearly on its pages, the 
book must be deeply interesting. The relatives and friends of the 
officers and soldiers, the rank and file of the army whose movements 
are here so graphically portrayed, will read the book with deep 
attention and emotion. Community at large will find it pleasant 
and instructive. As the pioneer in illustrated book publication in 
this city, I trust it may meet with success, and prove remunerative 
to author and publishers. 



[Prom Rev. Robert Botd, D. D.] 

I have had the privilege of reading, while passing through the 
press, a book by Rev. J. B. Rogers, entitled "War Pictures," &c. 
Ifc is a work of thrilling interest, and will be read in many a home 
in the North- West with blinding tears at the remembrance of lost 
ones, and yet with a proud throbbing of the heart at the record 
of the unflinching bravery of tho&e who are to return to more. Mr. 
Rogers was an eye-witness of most of the scenes he relates, and he 
possesses the happy faculty of making his reader feel as if he too 
were gazing upon them. The book proves, not only that he has 
strong powers for shrewd and intelligent observation, but also that 
he has a deeply pious and feeling heart. I hope that it may have a 
wide circulation, for it cannot fail to do good. No one can rise from 
its perusal, without feeling a deeper love to his countrj-, a loftier 
admiration for our brave soldiers, and a stronger abhorrence of that 
system of human bondage, which has brought upon us this fearful 
war. 

[From Rev. W. W. Everts, D. D.] 

I concur in the foregoing views and estimate of the "War Pic- 
tures," and predict success to their publication. 

[From Rev. W. W. Harsha, Pastor South Pres. Church, Chicago.] 

Mr. Rogers' work embodies much valuable information upon such 
matters as fall properly under the eye of an army chaplain. The 
wi-iter is evidently an intelUgent, observing man, and knows how to 
describe what he sees with perspicuity and fK'it. Military men 
may differ with him in his strictures on the co^fcct of the war, and 
conservative men may object to his views on ttre slavery question, 
but none can fail to glean much valuable information from his 
pages. The discriminating reader will judge both of his facts and 
his theories. If the latter do not always please, the former will 
certainly instruct. 

The publishers will no doubt reap a golden harvest as the result 
of their enterprise in placing this work in the hands of the reading 
public, as it will unquestionably meet with an extensive sale. 



PEEFACE. 



The War of the Southern Rebellion is destined to create 
a Literature of its own. Its history will be written by- 
many hands, while its incidents and leading characteristics, 
above all the principles involved in it, will supply themes 
for discussion for a long time to come. The material for 
all reliable accounts of this great struggle must be furnished, 
in no small degree, by the testimony of eye-witnesses. In 
that view, I flatter myself that what I here offer to the 
public will have some value as contributions to the history 
hereafter to be written. 

But I have another reason for asking attention to what 
I have to say. A chaplain looks at the events of military 
life from a point of view peculiar to himself. If he has 
less to do with the ordering of the line of battle, or guiding 
the course of the marching columns, he, oftcner than any 
other man, sees the soldier in his true life, and is, oftener 
than any other, behind the scenes. What he has to say, 
therefore, has a claim just on this ground. It is not alto- 
gether of battles that thoughtful people wish to read, even 



VUl PREFACE. 

in the history of wars. Especially is this the case with 
those who read with some view to learn what war really is ; 
above all, with such as have had, or still have, beloved ones 
in camp or gamson. 

While feeling thus assured that what I have written will 
not be regarded as intruded on the reading public, I am 
persuaded, at the same time, that no more ample, or more 
impressive illustrations of the value of rehgion can be found 
than in the incidents that fall under an army chaplain's 
observation. I shall hope, therefore, in this publication, 
while performing a service in other directions, to give here 
a testimony which some may heed to the inestimable pre- 
ciousness of that Gospel which brings " life and immortality 
to light." 

It ought to be said, further, that the descriptions of bat- 
tles in these pages do not aim at completeness, either in 
the details given, or as respects Western battles themselves. 
It was impossible to include all, and I have therefore chosen 
such as I had the best means of describing ; hoping that my 
readers will be contented to " learn all from a few." 

J. B. ROGERS. 
Cairo, III., April, 1863. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

EN ROUTE. 

Appointment Received — Leaving Home — Chicago — St. Louis — 
Preaching in the Hospitals — Journey to Savanna, Tenn. — Arri- 
val at the Beat of War. 

CHAPTER IL 

THE BATTLE OP SHILOH. 

The Battle — Visit to the Field — Scenes in the Amputating Room — 
The Havoc of War — A Mother Seeking her Son — Spring Rains — 
Hospitals — Burying the Dead. 

CHAPTER in. 

INCIDENTS AT PITTSBUUGH LANDING. 

An Eye-Witness of the Battle— Burial of a Soldier's Wife— Burial 
of a Minister, a Private in the Ranks— The Nameless Dead— 
"Hardness" — Visit of Gov. Harvey — His sudden Death — His 
Religious Character— Commodore Foote — "Father Hill"— Burial 
of a Christian Captain — Happy Death of a Soldier— Death of Col. 
D. E. Wood. 

CHAPTER IV. 

ARMY RELIGION AND ARMY MORALS. 

Can a Soldier be a Christian? — A Case in Point— Piety in Camp 
— Influence of Chaplains — Good Books — Character of Services 
in Camp and in Hospitals — Benevolent Ladies — Mrs. Bycker- 
dyke, Mrs. Plumber, Miss Johnson, Mrs. Wittenmeyer, Mrs. 
Webb. 



X CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER V. 

ADVANCE ON CORINTH. 

Qrders to March — Glad to Leave— Pittsburgh Landing and Vicinity 

— Sbiloh Church — Hamburgh — A rebel Preacher — Tlie Union 
Array on the march — Slow and sure — The Armies face each other 

— Weeks of waiting — Corinth is ours, but why ? — Description of 
the Place — New Duties — "Contrabands" — A" bleaching Process 

— Providential Overrulings — The War a Liberator — Congress and 
the President — Southern Testimonies. 

CIIxVPTER VI. 

THE NEGRO AND HIS DESTINY. 

A Sad and Bitter Legacy — How the Poison Works — Ill-treatment 
of "Contrabands" — "Angel's Visits" — The Slave Girl and her 
Rescuers — Well done, 22d Wisconsin ! — "The Vexed Question " 

— Colonization: Is it Practicable ? Is it Expedient ? Is it Just? — 
Will Free Blacks Work?— The Chief Obstacle — Labor and Capi- 
tal in their True Relations - Let us Do Right. 

CHAPTER VII. 

WESTERN BATTLES— BELMONT — ISLAND NO. 10. 

An Expedition under Orders — Arrives at Belmont — Battle, Victory 
and Retreat — A Fierce Struggle — Gen. McClernand's Address to 
his Troops — Incidents — Inside View of Island No. 10 — A Rebel 
General's Letter — What they are Fighting for. 

CHAPTER YIII. 

WESTERN BATTLES — FORT HENRY, FORT DONELSON. 

Expedition under Gen. Grant — Approach to Fort Henry — The 
Gunboats Bombard and Take it — March to Fort Donelson — Posi- 
tion of the Enemy's Works — Commencement of the Battle — 
Brave Attack, but Desperate Resistance — A Night of Suflering — ■ 
Second Day's Figlit — New Disposition of Troops — A Fierce 
Struggle on the Third Day — The Right Wing Driven Back, but 
ultimately Victorious — Splendid Chai'geonthe Left — Surrender 
of the Fort — Incidents. 

CHAPTER IX. 

WESTERN BATTLES — lUKA, CORINTH, ARKANSAS POST. 

The Enemy Propose to Recover Lost Ground — Battle of luka — Re- 
sults of Victory not Secured — Price Reinforced by Van Doru and 
Lovell — The Enemy March on Corinth — Preparation to Receive 
them — The Attack Begins — Our own Troops Driven Within the 
Works— Results of First Day's Fighting — Moving of Troops Du- 



CONTENTS. XI 

ring the Night — The Works Stormed and Entered — A Vigorous 
Rally and a Victory — Incidents — The Vicksburg Disaster — Ex- 
pedition to Arkansas Post — Preliminary Cannonade by Gun-Boats 

— General Attack on the Day Following — Trophies and Prison- 
ers. 

CHAPTER X. 

CAIRO AND THE "CONTRABANDS." 

Contraband Camps Transferred to Cairo — Description of the Town 

— "Town Pumps" — Public Buildings — Mud and Rats — Society 

— A Six Months' Service — Negro Characteristics — Reverence — 
Teachableness — Loyalty — Att achment and Fidelity — Religious 
Susceptibility — The Vices Most Prevalent — Will they Fight? — 
How to Improve Them — Adieus. 

CHAPTER XI. 

INCIDENTS AND LESSONS. 

Evidences of Human Depravity — The chief Army Vices, Profanity 
and Sabbath-breaking — Judgments of God on the Profane — 
Officers Largely Responsible — The Swearing Surgeon — Sabbath 
Desecration — Often Unnecessary — President Lincoln's General 
Order — Col. Alban — Gen. Fisk — Thomas Shaw — Encourage- 
ments. 

CHAPTER XII. 

SOUTH AND NORTH. 

A "Smart Town"— A Female Rebel— The "Butternut" Gentry 

— Southern Refinement— Antagonisms — Bitterness of the War 

— When will it End? — The Better Policy — Anxious Friends — 
Chaplains— Letter from a Lady — We shall Conquer — Conclu- 
sion. 



CHAPTER I. 



EN ROUTE. 



Appointment Received — Leaving Home — Chicago — St. Louis — 
Preaching in the Hospitals — Journey to Savanna, Tenn. — Arri- 
val at the Seat of War. 

It was with the view of contributing somewhat 
to promote the spiritual welfare of the soldier 
that I was induced to accept the position of a 
chaplain in the army. The appointment had 
been kindly offered me by the excellent Colonel^ 
under whom I served until his death. This offer 
I appreciated the more highly, because it was 
unexpected. I proposed to raise a company 
toward making up the required quota; which 
accordingly I did. The company was enrolled 
as Company A in the regiment : the Fourteenth 
Wisconsin Volunteers. 

My duties, I have found, brought me into 
very intimate relations with the men under my 

* Colonel D. E. Wood. 



14: WAH PICTURES. 

charge. They have had my warmest sympathy. 
Their welfare, spiritual and temporal, has been 
an object of deep solicitude to me. Nor have I 
been left, even amidst the discouragements neces- 
sarily incident to my position, without evidence 
of success in my efforts. Some precious fruits I 
have already seen : still greater I expect to see 
when the final harvests of the earth are gathered 
in. It has been my privilege to rejoice in the 
conversion of a few souls, some of whom are 
now in glory, and others on the way. I have 
witnessed many a soldier's death, and have 
had the privilege of imparting consolation to 
some on the eve of their departure to another 
and a better world. 

"What I have seen and experienced in the 
army has led me to believe that nowhere on 
earth can a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus 
enjoy greater usefulness than in the office and 
work of a chaplain, provided he has the hearty 
co-operation of the officers. I am sorry to say, 
however, that the faithful chaplains meet with 
too many rebuffs from officers who regard them 
as mere sinecurists. It is said that I^apoleon 
" allowed no chaplains in his army, and disliked 
a religious soldier." Many generals and their 



LEAVING HOME. 15 

subordinates, now, maintain that the religion of 
a man has nothing to do with his soldierly quali- 
ties. This is very far from being true. The bet- 
ter the man, the better the soldier, other things 
being equal. Such men are not cowards in bat- 
tle. They know that they are safe in Christ. 
Having committed their all to Him, they can 
lay themselves upon the altar of their country, 
prepared for either life or death. They go upon 
the field with the support of a noble inspiration, 
" conscientiously doing God's work and fighting 
God's battles."^ 

On the 8th of March, 1862, the regiment left 
Fond du Lac for the seat of war. It was one of 
those occasions, so often repeated, east and west, 
during this momentous struggle, which cannot 
soon be forgotten by those who have been actors 
in them. The friends of officers and soldiers 
gather at the place of departure to take their 
final leave. Wives are here to bid adieu to those, 
dearer to them than all the world beside, upon 
whom they lean for support, to whom they look 
for protection and counsel. Who, than they, 

*■ I would advise any- who have doubts on this point to read a 
little army work, written by Rev. W. W. Patton, entitled "Reli- 
gion in the Army." It is a very clear and inpressive exhibition 
of the truth that piety ia the soldier is a prime element of* mili- 
tary efficiency. 



16 WAR PICTUEES. 

ever lay more precious offerings upon the com- 
mon altar? Mothers are here, to pronounce a 
mother's blessing upon the sons they have given 
to the service of their country. Sisters are here, 
to exchange the parting kiss with brothers, who, 
moved by patriotism, are to brave the dangers of 
the camp and the field. Neighbors are here, 
singing patriotic songs, and orators to cheer with 
their eloquence the hearts that may falter as the 
moment of keen trial draws on. At length the 
train moves amidst loud, vociferous shouts, with 
its living freight of husbands, fathers and sons, 
while friends stand gazing till sight and sound 
are alike lost in the distance. The question now 
and then offers itself to the more thoughtful of 
us, who of this number are to return again and 
greet these friends and enjoy once more the 
sweets of home? We are now to grapple with 
the stern realities of the soldier's life. War is to 
be with us no longer a fancy, but a fact, and every 
hour seems to make the ideal in our minds more 
and more a reality. 

We soon lose sight of our old camp ground, 
where we had spent the winter, and of the beau- 
tiful city of Fond du Lac. During the first day 
there were, of course, but few things on the route 



AEKIVAL AT CHICAGO. 17 

to interest us, as we had so often been over the 
road before. On reaching Chicago, we marched 
through the city with applauding crowds lining 
the streets through which we passed, to the depot 
of the Alton and Chicago railroad. Here the 
soldiers were supplied with rations for the night, 
while the commissioned officers accepted an invi- 
tation to refreshments at the Tremont House. 
Among the guests was Ex-Governor Alexander 
Randall, of "Wisconsin, with whom we had a 
pleasant interview, and whose voice we once 
more heard in advocacy of that vigorous prosecu- 
tion of the war which to all loyal men was then 
becoming a demonstrated necessity. 'No one of 
the Union Governors has shown a warmer love 
for the Union as it was, or labored with greater 
earnestness and tidelity to restore it, than Gov. 
Eandall. 

After thus strengthening the outer man with 
good food and the inner man v^ith a renewal of 
zeal for the country's cause, we shook hands with 
friends, old and new, and resumed our route for 
St. Louis. An all-night ride prepared us for our 
morning meal which we took at Bloomington. 
It was Lord's Day morning, and we could not but 
ask ourselves. Is there a necessity for this Sunday 



18 WAR PICTUKES. 

travel ? Will God bless a nation that despises 
his Sabbaths, and so lightly esteems his revealed 
statutes? Impressed with these thoughts I 
sought the commanding officer. His reply was 
that the Sabbath was the only day of the seven 
when we could have the whole track. Of course, 
we were compelled to admit that there are neces- 
sities in time of war which cannot be controlled, 
and to which we must submit. Yet, if men 
would only labor as necessity requires, we could 
endure it. Instead of this, it would seem that 
officers many times plan work for the Sabbath 
which might as well be deferred. Thus, while a 
divine institution is disregarded, the men are 
denied the relaxation they need to recruit the 
energies exhausted by the toils of the march or 
the battle. If we as a nation expect the blessing 
of God to attend our arms and bless our armies, 
Ave must not insult him by trampling his Sabbaths 
under our feet ; for " the Sabbath was made for 
man." In all circumstances, so far as possible, it 
should be quietly observed, even in times of war, 
and divine service held at which every soldier ofi 
duty should be strictly required to be present. 
This were an easy task, if officers felt their 
responsibility. I regret to say that this is not 



AREIVAL AT ST. LOUIS. 19 

always the case. Too many ungodly and unprin- 
cipled men are leaders in the army. 

Monday morning early we arrive at St. Louis. 
But what changes do we see ! When, a few 
years before, we visited the same city, we found 
it one of the most active and prosperous in the 
"West. But its former glory had departed. In- 
stead of the wonted pressing demand for dwell- 
ings and stores, the owners sought in vain for 
occupants, while the tradesman felt no ambition 
to attempt new enterprises, or enlarge his present 
stock. Merchandise of all kinds was of an infe- 
rior cpiality. "Why all this ? The city had sold 
herself to do wickedness, and confidence, hope, 
enterprise were sacrificed to the Moloch of Rebel- 
lion. There were, no doubt, many loyal hearts 
in St. Louis, numbers of true men whose labors 
and sacrifices in the cause of the Union had been 
great. May they be spared to see our glorious 
Union fully restored, and hand down the bless- 
ings our fathers fought to purchase to their own 
descendants ! 

Among the sick in the hospitals of St. Louis 
we found representatives of every State in the 
North-West. A large number of them had 
fought at Forts Donelson and Henry. They 



20 WAR PICTURES. 

were young meii, who had entered the service 
hale and hearty ; but fatigue and exposure had 
reduced some of them to bare skeletons, and left 
them to pine away with slow, lingering diseases. 
"With them it was my pleasure to labor during 
our stay of two weeks, both in public and private 
endeavoring to hold up the lamp of life. Nor 
was this without effect. Moistened eyes and 
many kind expressions showed the interest with 
which these j^oor fellows received " the ingrafted 
word " of salvation. Some we found who loved 
the Savior. These seemed reconciled to their 
situation, willing to suffer all that had been 
appointed to them. A chaplain, if he does noth- 
ing but to encourage and aid this class in our 
army, performs a good service. For what Chris- 
tian would wish to go into the army, expose 
himself to countless hardships, privations and 
dangers, and at last die, perhaps, without any 
man of God to speak to him words of Christian 
comfort? It is enough to die without the pre- 
sence of mother, sister, or wife. In all the hospi- 
tals which I have visited, I have found more or 
less of pious men. The great majority of those 
wlio join the army, however, are irreligious, 
many of them wicked, ungodly creatures, who 



THE ST. LOUIS HOSPITALS. 21 

have little or no desire that a minister should 
accompanj them. Some of those who proiess 
piety carry their religion with them, and in the 
face of all opposition stand up for God and the 
right. Yet comparatively few have the moral 
stamina to resist the evil influences of camp life. 
Even those who at home would be steadfast 
Christians are not only in great danger of becom- 
ing loose in their habits, but of being drawn 
entirely away. Infidels, and we all know there 
are quite enough of them in the army, let no 
opportunity slip to reproach Christianity, and 
seek opportunities to entrap or discourage the 
weak believer. The Christian who, in these 
circumstances, would remain constant to his pro- 
fession and to the Lord who has bought him, 
must set his face like a flint against everything 
like sin, and resist even the appearance of evil. 
In these, as in the circumstances first alluded to, 
he needs and values the services of his chaplain. 
After a few days' acquaintance with the dear 
men at the hospitals, who always welcomed us 
with so much pleasure on our repeated calls, we 
bade them adieu, leaving them to the care of the 
great and kind Shepherd of the sheep. We 
parted with them more reluctantly, as many of 



22 WAR PICTURES. 

tliem at that time were earnestly seeking the 
Savior. We often ask ourselves, '' Did they find 
Him whom their souls so much desired ? With 
them we shall never again meet on earth, but 
shall we meet them in glory, and see them 
w^earing the victor's fadeless crown ?" I should 
mention, in this connection, that many Christian 
brethren in the city gave great attention to the 
convalescent hospitals, holding nightly meetings 
for prayer and conference, providing and circu- 
lating books, &c.; while the benevolent ladies 
were going through the hospitals generally, with 
comforts for the sick. These I know will not go 
unblest, for the Master has declared, " Inasmuch 
as ye did it unto these, ye did it unto me." 

In our journey south of St. Louis, as this was 
my first visit to the Slave States, I was naturally 
disposed to make observations, while comparisons 
were inevitable. The impression first received 
has been constantly strengthened since, that the 
South is, in respect to enterprise, thrift and intel- 
ligence, generally much inferior to the !N^orth. 
The curse of the Almighty seems to rest upon 
the land of slavery, extending to all interests 
alike. The very soil itself seems cursed with 
barrenness, at least over wide districts, although 



FIEST IMPRESSIONS. 23 

ricli in its native condition. We noticed no farms 
whicli could be called well cultivated throughout 
our whole ride up the Tennessee River, excepting 
a few immediately around Paducah, where, per- 
haps. Northern men had settled. What is still 
more noticeable, if there were school-houses 
along the river, we did not see them. Never 
before in my life, even during my early travels 
in the wilds of the West, did I ride three hundred 
miles without seeing a school-house. Indeed, I 
have seen but two, altogether, in Tennessee : one 
in Savanna, the county seat of Hardin county, 
the other in Jackson. I have heard of another, 
which at present is used for the storage of cotton. 
I do not say there are no more, but I have not 
seen them : and I think I speak advisedly when 
I say there are not to exceed one hundred school- 
houses in the State. And what is still more 
lamentable, there are as few churches. If we 
are to judge of the intelligence and piety of the 
people by the number of their school-houses and 
churches, God deliver us from the country ! 

Our views on certain points have undergone 
a thorough change, since entering the South. 
While there may be general piety among the 
inhabitants, there certainly is much less intelli- 



M WAR PICTUEES. 

gence than we once supposed, aside from the 
more wealthy. The common people are little 
if any superior in this respect to the poor slaves 
they have oppressed. Thousands who came for- 
ward to take the oath of allegiance were unable 
to write their names. The towns and villages 
have but few features of interest to the traveler. 
The architecture of public buildings shows little 
taste, in fact is far beliind the age. No town ol 
the South, with the exception of the larger cities, 
can boast of regular side-walks: scattered frag- 
ments may now and then be seen, but nothing 
continuous. 

"We were not a little amazed at the way the j 
people cultivate the soil. Almost invariably, 
they use but one horse in plowing, while the 
plow is little better than a spoon, skimming over 
the surface of tlie ground, l^evel* did any poor 
exile long more for native land and its scenes, 
than did we to see again a country whose people 
and their customs were in keeping with the age% 
And yet, they are fighting for liberty ! In fifty 
years, those who may be living in these Southern 
States will see reason to thank the !N"orth for 
having let daylight in upon them, and taught 
them the arts of civilized life. 



SAVANNA, TENN. 25 

After various incidents of travel, more or less 
interesting, which I do not stop to describe, we 
at length found ourselves tented in the vicinity of 
Savanna, Tenn. Here Gen. Grant at that time 
had his head-quarters. The town presented, in 
, itself, very little of interest to the observer. It 
was laid out without any apparent aim to make it 
pleasant or attractive. The style and arrange- 
ment of the buildings, we noticed, differed greatly 
' from those of the ITorth ; the chimneys almost 
I invariably being on the outside, built against the 
( end. The streets seemed never to have received 
' much attention. Not a side-walk was to be seen. 
I The Court House was certainly a novelty to a 
j Northerner. It was evidently arranged with 
I'some degree of Soathern taste, but its exterior 
and interior both looked as if built shortly after 
the revolutionary war. In this building I had 
the opportunity of preaching, not law, but the 
Gospel of Christ; — there, where treason had jast 
been defiant, to preach to those who had come to 
drive treason from the land. The arrival of 
Union troops in the place had wrought a remark- 
able change in the sentiments of the people. 
Traitors had, j^revious to that, been abundant ; 
I but when our gunboats came up the river and 

■ 



26 WAK PICTURES. 

prepared to give them a little grape and canister, 
those of them who did not run away were quick- 
ly converted. 

There were, at the time of our arrival, about 
six or seven hundred soldiers in the different hos- 
pitals, nine-tenths of whom were the heroes of 
Donelson and Henry whom exposure had pros- 
trated. Poor fellows I they presented a pitiable 
appearance. Some were scarcely able to walk, 
while others were bed- ridden. A good deal ox 
home-sickness prevailed, which no doubt aggra- 
vated disease, rendering it in many instances 
incurable. "VVe could not but pity them, as we 
saw them pining for home and its associations. 
It is not surprising that they longed for the ten- 
der attentions they felt sure of there receiving, 
and, if they must die, to be laid, by the hands of 
those who loved them, in the family burial-place. 

One very unpleasant thing to us was the con- 
stant appeals made to us to obtain furloughs for 
these poor sufferers, a thing beyond our power. 
The officers of the different regiments were in the 
field out of our reach. It was, besides, a rule 
that no furloughs should be given. We saw no 
sufficient reason for this. Why keep men to die 
in the hospitals, when there is little hope of their 



THE WOUNDED AND SICK. 27 

recovery ? Many of tliem, besides, if permitted 
to return home where they could have had tender 
and careful nursing, might have recovered, and so 
been saved to their country and their friends. I 
am aware that there were difficulties in the way 
of this ; yet in many instances these might have 
been surmounted. Of those whom we saw num- 
bers 'no doubt were soon past suffering, for very 
shortly the hospitals were crowded to their utmost 
by the wouneled heroes of Sliiloh. The original 
occupants w^ere in consequence removed to quar- 
ters still less comfortable, where for the want of 
proper attention many must have died. None 
can imagine our feelings, as we witnessed the 
constant influx of wounded men, after the battle 
just alluded to, passing in to the number of over 
two thousand, carried on litters and laid, many of 
them, in the most undesirable places, in garrets 
and elsewhere. Few comforts were provided 
them, yet it was the best that could be done. 
Whoever has once witnessed such scenes will 
never wish to have them repeated, and would 
rejoice if the recollection of them might be blot- 
ted out forever. Eut it never can be. Yv^e shall 
think of them while thought and memory last. 



CirAPTER II. 

THE BATTLE OF SHILOH. 

The Battle — Visit to the Field — Scenes in the Amputating Room— 
The Havoc of War — A Mother Seeking her Son — Spring Rains- 
Hospitals — Burying the Dead. 

To participate in a battle, or even to witness it, 
is a very different thing from reading of battles 
in history. The story of those fierce conflicts in 
which our fathers fought for liberty and won it 
we are accustomed to peruse with the mind most- 
ly dwelling on the great issue at stake and the 
great deeds performed. We do not realize the 
bloody conflict itself, nor in any adequate degree 
comprehend the daring, the suffering, the noise 
of the battle, the "garments rolled in blood." 
All this will be changed, henceforth, to those who 
have had a share in the stern work of the present 
contest. 

" Shiloh " belongs now to American history ; a 
name as immortal as Bunker Hill or Monmouth. 



FIRST DAY OF BATTLE. 29 

In anotlier part of the world the name is a sym- 
bol of peace and blessing, and the locality it indi- 
cates is made interesting to the traveler by the 
fact that there, once, the Ark of the Lord, and 
the Sanctuary, abode. In American history it is 
from this time the memorial of one of the stern- 
est conflicts on record. Our children's children 
will read and speak of it with the same interest 
that we now feel in the battle-fields of the Ee vol- 
ution. 

The battle began on Sunday morning, April 
6tli. 'No sooner had the sun arisen, and its 
blessed rays fallen on the earth, than the terrible 
thunder of artillery was heard by us at Savan- 
na, in the direction of Pittsburgh Landing, ten 
miles farther up the river. We were for some 
time left entirely to conjecture as to the cause of 
the firing ; the general impression being that it 
was only a brisk skirmish. We remained thus in 
suspense until noon, the cannonade continuing and 
growing more terrific. Intelligence then reached 
ns that a severe and bloody battle was going on, 
and that large numbers of our brave men had 
fallen, some regiments being fairly decimated. 
Why our own regiment was not called imme- 
diately into action remains still a mj'stery. Dur- 



30 WAR PICTURES. 

ing tlie entire day we were waiting and hoping 
for the summons, the report constantly coming 
from the field, " We must have more men, or we 
are cut to pieces." Neither our regiment, nor 
any of the others at Savanna was ordered for- 
w^ard during the day. 

At two o'clock in the afternoon I had the privi- 
lege of preaching to several hundred of the sick 
in the hospital ; a general order having been 
issued by Dr. Davis, the Post Surgeon, that all 
the convalescents should attend. The order, 
judging from the number present, was generally 
obeyed. As the service went on, the moistened 
eyes and marked attention of all afforded evi- 
dence of their readiness to receive the truth. 
"These men," thought I, "are now in circum- 
stances to be benefited, and as this wide door ot 
usefulness is opened, let me improve it. May I 
not even expect that souls will be gathered as the 
result of even this one effort ? " At the conclu- 
sion of the services, I visited numbers of the sick 
in different parts of the hospital. About four 
o'clock I returned to our camp, one mile distant. 
On arriving I found the regiment regularly drawn 
up in line of march. The men were eager for 
battle, and were full of spirit. Soon after they 



A NIGHT ON GUAKD. 31 

proceeded to the river and took the boat for Pitts- 
burgh, leaving myself, with a few others who 
were too unwell to accompany them, to take 
charge of the camp equipage. 

What a night of anxiety, both to them and to 
us ! They, after reaching Pittsburgh, remained 
through a drenching shower until morning, lean- 
ing on their anus, every moment expecting a 
renewal of hostilities. We who were left behind 
were all night guarding the camp. For the iirst 
time in my life I stood as sentinel, with gun in 
hand patrolling the encampment. The long and 
tedious night at length came to a close, and the 
morning light began to dawn. Shortly after, the 
booming of cannon was again heard, with more 
frequenc}^, if possible, than on the previous day. 
The roar of the artillery exceeded anything we 
had ever imagined. Then we began to watcli, 
with breathless anxiety, for reports from the field. 
At length, a boat was seen coming down the 
river, loaded with the wounded. I went on 
board, and found many who had been wounded 
on the day previous, but none of our boys were 
seen ; they not having been long in action. 
Many others were there, who claimed our sym- 
pathy and help. Poor fellows ! We did not 



32 WAR riCTURES. 

stop to inquire who they were. "We knew they 
were at least Northern soldiers, some of them 
sons of our neighbors, and who had gone from 
onr midst. 

The scenes of that day I shall never forget. 
There lay hundreds of brave men, wounded in 
every imaginable form ; some with one arm off, 
others with both, others injured in other parts oi 
the body, all of them crying, " Water ! Water ! " 
One sight made a deep impression. An officer 
with whom I had a slight acquaintance was 
wounded in the face. He was so disfigured that 
I could not recognize him until he told me his 
name. I could not but weep like a child. Hav- 
ing assumed the responsibility, early in the 
morning, of providing places for the wounded, I 
immediately went to work, opening every house 
without exception. In no one instance was I 
made welcome. In some cases I received a favor- 
able reply, but not in a manner to indicate any 
earnestness, as if it were a privilege to entertain 
those poor sr.iferers. 

At one house where I called the occupant was 
reputed a Union man. I found him sitting in 
the centre of the room with his legs crossed, arms 
folded and hat on, looking more like a demon 



A " UNION MAN." S3 

than any man I had ever before seen. I asked 
him kindly if he would open his house for the 
accommodation of some of our wounded. He 
immediately replied, " ^o ! " 

"Why?" I asked. 

" My family are sick," was his answer. 

" How many of your family ? " I still inquired. 

"My wife." 

" Is this your wife ? " I asked, pointing to a 
woman who sat near him. 

"Yes." 

" Then," said I, " you occupy this side of the 
house, and I will take the other." As I had a 
wounded man at the door, apparently in great 
Buffering, I said, "Boys, bring him into this 
room." 

He wished to know if I intended to drive him 
from his own house. I answered, " You infemals 
have brought the war upon us, and you will take 
care of our wounded, or we will take care of 
you." 

Another circumstance I will relate. A Lieute- 
nant from Ohio, having been badly wounded in 
the shoulder, and unable to ride in the ambulance, 
was being led by the hands of others. I saw him 

and said, " I know not where I shall put you, but 

2* 



34r WAR PICTURES. 

if you will follow me I will find jou a place." I 
took liim up the street about half a mile, and 
found a room in which was a feather bed. I put 
him into it, and the poor fellow wept for joy. A 
few weeks after I saw him. He at once recog- 
nized me. I hesitated, not being able at first to 
identify him. As soon as he spoke of the feather 
bed I knew him, and never in my life did I 
receive such a volley of thanks. The reward 
was ample. 

]^ot having heard anything definite from the 
battle, especially in regard to my own regiment, 
on Tuesday morning early I took the first boat 
going up the river and set out for the field, 
anxious especially to know the result of the 
second day's fight. On reaching the place, the 
first sight that met me was that of a long row ot 
dead bodies on the river bank, wrapped in their 
blankets preparatory to interment. Poor fellows ! 
thought I, they have fallen under the scorching 
fire of the enemy with none to help them ; and 
what must be the feelings of their friends far 
away when accounts of this battle shall reach 
them, what the dreadful suspense until the real 
facts are brought to light ! The event of the 
battle will be the first question ; the next, who 



WHY ALL THIS ? 35 

fell. TJiousands of hearts will throb with pain- 
ful anxiety to know the real condition of loved 
ones, engaged in that terrible conflict. Father, 
husband, son, brother — all were there ; thou- 
sands on our side slain, and as many more 
wounded. Let us hope that the report is exag- 
gerated. And yet, however favorable it may be 
made to appear, there will be enough to send 
wailing to more than twenty thousand souls. 
"What heart-strings are riven by the record of 
that dreadful battle ! We weep at stage tragedies, 
but what are they to the reality of days like Sun- 
day and Monday?" 

We are compelled to ask, in contemplating 
such scenes, Why is all this ? In what cause are 
these thousands slain ? To what infernal deity 
are all these ^-ictims offered in Sabbath-day sacri- 
fice? There can be but one truthful answer 
given. There has been one agent in urging on 
this conflict that stands back of every other, and 
which has supplied both motive and energy to 
the rebellion. Its evil life could be prolonged 
only by dooming to death thousands upon thou- 
sands like those who lay that morning stark and 
cold on the bank of the Tennessee. Slavery : 
that is the Moloch I On the altar of slavery 



36 WAR PICTURES. 

these thousands are offered like firstlings of the 
flock under the rites of heathen devotion. How 
many that week put on mourning for the slain at 
Pittsburgh Landing: Rachel weeping for her 
sons and refusing to be comforted; in many 
instances the first-born, the son of hope and con- 
solation. It is a fearful ordeal for a nation. 
These are terrible tests of constancy to convic- 
tions of right. It must be that if they are 
bravely and triumphantly borne, we shall in the 
result, as a people, stand stronger than ever in 
the integrity of right principles and noble aims. 
It becomes us also to recognize in these events 
the just judgment of God. The whole land has 
been more or less involved in the guilt of oppres- 
sion. Government has shielded and perpetuated 
the wrong. Well might the Virginia statesman 
tremble for his country when he remembered that 
God is just. The long-suffering of the Almighty 
could not endure for ever. The cry of the sable 
sons of Africa reached his ear, however deaf to it 
our own may have been. And thus it is that the 
wrath and violence of our enemies have been 
instruments of punishment in his hand. They 
meant it for wicked purposes of their own. He 
meant it as a national chastisement, through 



THE VISIT TO THE FIELD. 37 

which might come first national humiliation, and 
then the fulfillment of the promise, good for 
nations as well as individuals, that "he that 
humbleth himself shall be exalted." 

After leaving the boat, which we accomplished 
with no little difficulty, the landing being so 
crowded with steamers, we commenced winding 
our way up the steep, rugged hill which borders 
on the river. It was not an easy or pleasant 
path; the crowding mule teams and the mud 
interposed many difficulties. At length we 
reached the top and proceeded to a double log- 
house which was used for a hospital. Here lay 
numbers of our dear wounded men. I thought I 
had seen frightful sights the day before, but those 
which I beheld in the old log hospital surpassed 
even that dismal procession of over two thousand 
suffering, pale, ghastly forms which were brought 
into Savanna. Those detained here were such as 
could not be removed until after amputations had 
been performed. Over these poor sufferers I 
wept until I had not a tear to shed. Among 
them I saw a young man of twenty summers, an 
officer as appeared by his shoulder-straps, lying 
on his back. I was attracted by his placid coun- 
tenance; an expression more mild and heavenly 



38 WAR PICTURES. 

I never before saw on a human face. I inquired 
of the poor fellow where he was wounded. Ano- 
ther, standing near, lifted up the blanket and 
showed me that both his legs were gone, a little 
below the knee ! Yet his countenance was if he 
were on the verge of heaven. I was called has- 
tily away, very much to my regret. Of that 
young man I have often thought since, and shall 
ever be sorry that I had no opportunity for an 
interview. I believe he was a Christian, and had 
supporting grace in that dreadful hour. His face 
was like that of Moses when he came from the 
presence of God. 

Those, only, who have seen numbers together 
for amputation can have any idea of the dreadful 
scenes we there witnessed. In the open space 
between the two houses was the table on which 
the subjects lay for amputation, while the apart- 
ments on either side were full of the wounded, 
waiting their turn. At one end of this open 
space, under the stairs, lay a pile of legs and 
arms which had been severed from the maimed 
and bleeding trunks. O, how gladly I would 
bury forever the recollection of those days ! But 
I cannot. They now and then rush upon ray 
memory in the hours of night, and chase away 
sleep with fearful visions. 



UNFEELIKG SUUGEONS. 39 

One tiling I cannot forbear to mention in this 
connection ; the apparent hard-hearted ness of the 
surgeon. I do not know his name, nor would 
I wish to know it only that he might bear that 
public reproach which for his want of common 
humanity he deserves. Flavel once remarked, 
" If I am to fall into the surgeon's hands, let it 
be of one whose own bones have been broken, 
that he may know by experience the anguish." 
It was very evident that if the surgeon in ques- 
tion had ever possessed any of the finer feelings 
of a man he had lost them. Surely, if any one 
has an undoubted claim to sympathy it is the 
wounded soldier, wounded while in the defence 
of his country, and far away in an enemy's land. 
While we have in our army many excellent sur- 
geons, we have also, I regret to say, many who 
ought not to be there. The army would be better 
off without them. I do not wish to be censorious, 
nor unnecessarily reveal in a public manner the 
faults of my fellow-ofiicers, but in this instance I 
could not do justice to my convictions, if I failed 
to at least mention the brutality of this man. 
God save other wounded men from falling into 
his hands. 

On leaving the amputating room, I found my 



40 WAR PICTUKES. 

way to my own regiment, which was stationed at 
a short distance to the west of the hospital. 
When I saw them, and had the privilege ot 
greeting them once more, "my eyes," as John 
Bunyan says, "were as the fish-pools of Hesh- 
bon." After exchanging salutations with oflacers 
and men I saddled a horse and rode over the vast 
battle field in search of our precious dead and 
wounded. It was while thus engaged that I 
gained some correct idea of the havoc of war. 
As we passed along, we saw the dead of the two 
armies scattered about in every direction, and so 
numerous that we could scarcely go out of sight 
of a dead body. At one point, where I was told 
my own regiment, the Fourteenth, had made a 
desperate charge upon the enemy, seventy-two 
were seen lying about like hail-stones. One, a 
rebel, lay upon his back with his arms uplifted, 
as if mutely appealing to heaven for mercy. I 
could hope that he had found it, were there more 
ground for such a hope. 

The battle field was in many parts a forest. 
The trees showed how terrific had been the iron 
and leaden hail. They were torn and shattered 
as if heaven's own artillery had been let loose 
upon them. Many oaks, the growth j)erhaps of 



MOTHER AND SON. 41 

centuries, twenty-four or twenty-five inches in 
diameter, were cut off near the ground, others 
twenty or more feet above ; showin^^ the different 
ranges of the artillery. Some were cut nearly 
off, others had been stripped of their branches. 
Almost every tree, throughout the entire forest, 
as far as the battle reached, showed more or less 
signs of disaster, and will retain the marks pro- 
bably as long as the forest itself remains. IIow 
; many unpleasant reminiscences must be con- 
I nected with Pittsburgh Landing! Doubtless, too, 
] it will be a place of pilgrimage, hereafter, for 

those whose beloved ones there lie buried. 
I 
I An affecting instance of the sorrowful bereave- 

1 ments that war and battle occasion I have now in 

\ mind, connected with the scenes I have just been 

' describing. A widowed lady came from Brook- 

I lyn, N. Y., to Pittsburgh, while we were still 

there, bringing with her a metallic case, to search 

for the body of an only son who had been buried 

somewhere on the field. He had fallen in the 

heat of the battle, and where and by whom 

buried she had failed to ascertain. Her broken 

voice and her quivering frame showed how her 

heart was set upon accomplishing her object. 

We gave her gladly the necessary assistance. 



4:2 WAR PICTURES. 

After ascertaining the regiment to which he 
belonged, the next thing was to find where it 
then was, and then learn who had buried the 
fallen soldier and where. These points having 
been settled we started in search of the spot. I 
rejoice that it was not in vain, for I fear that in 
that case the poor mother would have lost her 
reason. 

It was touching to see her during our search ; 
her anxiety and suffering w^ere intense. At length 
we came to the lonely spot where young George 
lay. It seemed that his comrades sought out the 
most quiet and pleasant place they could find 
in which to lay his remains ; no doubt presum- 
ing that in time enquiry would be made for 
his body. They had also placed a board at the 
head of his grave, with his own name inscribed, 
and that of his regiment. When the mother 
reached the spot, her agony can be better im- 
agined than described. The features were, of 
course, somewhat marred, yet she recognized 
them. It was her own brave boy, whom she 
had expected to be the support of her age, 
and on whom she had learned to lean in fond 
reliance. She had his remains taken up and 
put into the metallic case, a treasure more pre- 



SPBING EAINS. 43 

clous than gold. With this she started home- 
ward, while we invoked the blessing of God 
and the xjomforts of grace on her behalf. O, 
the love of mother ! It is stronger, if possible, 
than all other loves put together, and lives 
while her faithful heart beats. 

Our arrival in Tennessee was at an unfavor- 
able season of the year. Had we gone South 
; in the fall, we might have avoided much sick- 
! ness. As it was, we were compelled to en- 
I counter the spring rains of that latitude, which, 
' as experienced by us, were almost incessant. 
1 Numbers of our men, in consecj[uence, were 
I down with disease, which, in many instances, 
I proved fatal. The chaplain, at such times, finds 
I himself full of work. To comfort the despond- 
. ing and home-sick, to give necessary aid to 
the nurses, to pray with the dying, and bury 
the dead, he finds will quite fill his hands and 
his heart. Even those army men who are dis- 
posed to undervalue the ordinary services of a 
chaplain may appreciate the importance of these. 
At all events, the chaplain himself can feel 
that such opportunities of usefulness could no 
where be surpassed. They are labors, too, in- 
volving great anxiety. Never did I toil as du- 



44 WAR PICTURES. 

ring those days of frequent burials, when we 
carried away two or three at a time ; and never 
did I more deeply feel my need .of Divine 
assistance. I believe that I was enabled to 
look to God in earnest foith ; knowing the con- 
fidence reposed in me by parents, and the 
precious charge they had committed to me, 
my constant prayer was that I might never 
be left to betray that confidence. 

At this point, perhaps, I may appropriately 
set down a few general facts with reference to 
hospitals, the treatment of the sick, and other 
matters in that connection. In describing one 
hospital, of course I should by no means de- 
scribe all, as their special features change ac- 
cording to circumstances. In towns of consid- 
erable size, where there are public buildings, 
churches, school -houses, &c., these are used for 
hospital purposes, and so far as the buildings 
are concerned they are comfortable. At our 
first entrance into Savanna, all the sick were 
pleasantly housed in buildings which the Gov- 
ernment had taken for the purpose, and, until 
the battle of Shiloh, there was abundance of 
room, notwithstanding there were six or seven 
hundred soldiers to provide for. When the 



HOSPITALS. 45 

wounded were brought in, of course we had 
to take possession of all the private dwellings 
in the place, and when these were filled we 
pitched tents for hundreds who could not be 
otherwise accommodated. At Corinth the Sem- 
inary was used, and afibrded room for several 
hundred. At Jackson, Tennessee, also, the La- 
dies' Seminary was taken for the same purpose. 
In sparsely settled districts, where we spent 
most of the summer, tents were used altogether, 
as dwellings could not be had. Tents of the 
larger size are generally put together two and 
two, when taken for hospital use, giving oppor- 
tunity for ventilation. In the vicinity of these 
are other tents of different sizes. A general 

( hospital of course requires a much larger num- 
ber of such tents than a regimental one. 

These buildings and tents are for the most 
part kept neat and clean, and are put in charge 
of reliable persons, adapted to the post. It 
could not be expected that beds of down should 
be furnished, even for the sick of the army. 
Yet we have what is in some sort equiva- 

llent — we have matresses and cots, furnished 
by the Sanitary Commissions, and other friends. 
These render the sick soldiers comparatively 



46 WAR PICTURES. 

comfortable. Indeed, I seldom hear the men 
in hospitals speak of any suffering in this par- 
ticular. Pillows and bed-clothing are also pro- 
vided in considerable abundance. 

The chief deficiency, as regards provision for 
the sick, is in respect to diet. A large army will 
very soon consurie all that can be obtained from 
the country through which it passes. Fowls, 
therefore, so necessary in a hospital, cannot be 
had unless they are furnished from abroad. Rice, 
beef, soups and toast, together with^dried fruits, 
wines and brandies, sent by the Sanitary Commis- 
sions, help to improve the bill of fare. On the 
whole, it is matter for surprise that the sick of the 
army are so well provided for as they are. 

Some of our general hospitals are conducted 
on a larger scale, and require a good deal ol 
executive talent in their proper management. 
There are times, of course, when the sick suffer 
greatly, as when necessit}^ requires them to be 
suddenly removed. When our army left luka, 
for example, the sick were unsafe, and it was 
found necessary to remove them to Corinth and 
Jackson. The hurried manner in which they 
weic transported quite overcame them, and as 
the result many died. During the battle of Cor- 



BURIAL OF TUE DEAD. 47 

inth, the sick were hurriedly taken from their 
quiet retreat, as the artillery was battering down 
the building in which they lay. The excitement 
and exposure were the means of death to num- 
bers of them. These, of course, are always the 
concomitants of war. 

Usually, the dead are buried just at sunset. 
Then, in the cool of the day, when silence begins 
to reign around and soldiers are most at leisure, 
we retire to some lonely spot to discharge this 
solemn duty. The ambulance is driven up near 
the hospital, and the coffin, commonly made of 
rough boards, is put in and so taken to the place 
selected for interment. Nothing is more impres- 
sive than to see such a funeral procession march- 
ing along, the band playing the " Dead March." 
To me it has always been most touching and 
solemn. I think of the friends at home ; for 
' somebody is always to mourn when the intel- 
I ligence goes homeward. I do rejoice that in 
j heaven there is a Heart-Healer who can truly 
I comfort. When we arrive at the grave, the coffin 
i is first lowered into the earth, after which we 
I generally read some portion of Scripture, followed 
by remarks and prayer. 

Sometimes these occasions have been very im- 



48 WAR PICTURES. 

press! ve, and I hope profitable.. Kotwlthstanding 
the hardness of some men's hearts, and the entire 
recklessness of soldiers generally, yet never have 
I seen more marked attention than at some ot 
these funerals. Even teamsters, who for the most 
part seem lost to all hope of religious impression, 
will often listen as attentively as others. May 
we not hope that even some of these may yet be 
reached and saved ? I have sometimes observed 
them stopping at the road-side as I have been 
preaching on the Sabbath, and listening until 
the close of the discourse. Poor fellows ! Let 
us try to hope that the worst is on the exterior. 
Such is their manner of life, being constantly 
on the road, and sleeping in or under their wag- 
ons, having no refining or restraining influences 
about them, that they have learned to give loose 
reins to their passions, and miserably degrade 
their manhood. 

The question may be asked, are all the dead 
buried in coffins ? It cannot of course be sup- 
posed that coffins can be furnished for those slain 
in battle. There is neither time nor materials. 
At such times graves are dug in the form of 
trenches, and the dead are quietly wrapped in 
their blankets and then laid promiscuously down. 



BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 49 

The circumstances are different where men die 
in hospitals. Provision for their burial may be 
made more according to what seems becoming. 
Yet war is in such respects, and in others, the 
direst of those necessities which know no law. 
Some of its most forbidding aspects are those 
which meet the eye only of such as personally 
take part in its dismal tragedies. 



CHAPTER III. 

INCIDENTS AT PITTSBURGH LANDING. 

An Eye-Witness of the Battle — Burial of a Soldier's "Wife — Burial 
of a Minister, a Private in the Ranks — The Nameless Dead — 
" Hardness "—Visit of Gov. Harvey— His sudden Death— His 
Religious Character— Commodore Foote— "J^ather Hill "-Burial 
of a Christian Captain— Happy Death of a Soldier— Death of Col. 
D. E. Wood. 

The subject of this chapter may be appropri- 
ately introduced by some particulars of the battle 
alluded to in the former, supplied by an eye- 
witness.* "In the extreme advance of the 
Federal forces," he says, " about four miles from 
Pittsburgh Landing and in the direction of 
Corinth, were some of the latest levies. Many 
of them were a thousand miles from the field of 
Shiloh on the preceding Sunday. Some of them 
were not mustered into the service of the United 
States till they left St. Louis on a transport for 
the seat of war. On the first of that month of 

* Rev. James Delany, Chaplain of the 18th Wisconsin. 



I 



SHILOn BY AN ETE-WITNESS. 51 

April, On the 6tli of which the battle occurred, 
their names could not have been found on any ot 
the army muster rolls. 

" On Saturday, the fifth, two or three regi- 
ments, having but just arrived, were thrown into 
the van of the army. One raised in Wisconsin, 
and another from Michigan, were placed in a 
position peculiarly exposed. The "Wisconsin 
regiment had not a transportation wagon, an 
ambulance, nor a single draught animal yet 
assigned to it. Its supplies of every kind were 
far from full. A sufficient number of tents were 
not pitched until nearly dark on Saturday even- 
ing. The meal of one and all on that occasion 
was scanty; but the repast of the following 
morning — the battle morning — was more meagre 
still. They had not a surgeon, not a surgical 
instrument, not a particle of medicine on the 
field, when the hail of the bloody tempest began 
to fall upon them. But poorly as they were pre- 
pared to receive what was thoroughly prepared 
for them, by the stealthy vigilance of the foe, 
others were in a still worse plight. Immediately 
on their left was a regiment which had not a 
single cartridge when full volleys w^ere poured 
into them by masses of the rebels, who lay 



52 WAK PICTURES. 

skulking in the buslies not more than fifty rods 
distant. 

" The battle storm, with the pealing long roll 
of many a drum, came down from Gen. Sher- 
man's division on the right, its fury increasing at 
every sweep of its progress towards the extreme 
left, when the sharp and startling command, 
" Fall into line of battle ! " passed from lip to lip, 
and fell on every ear. And then were not men 
^^ hurrying to and fro and swiftly forming in the 
ranks of war"? Ah! there was bustle, confu- 
sion, consternation, trembling limbs, palpitating 
hearts. With many, cheeks grew pale and 
thoughts grew sober. Fathers, mothers, brothers, 
sisters, wives, children — Home ! sweet Home ! 
Was it surprising that so it should be with men 
taken thus unawares and unprepared? They 
were, besides, men utterly undisciplined, un en- 
ured as yet to a soldier's life, to the privations, 
hardships and dangers of actual warfare. And 
yet, when the command, " Fall in. Boys ! " flew 
from tent to tent, every man sprang to duty and 
danger, l^o real faltering was anywhere wit- 
nessed. Some might be seen masticating the 
hard cracker, some sipping from the canteen, 
others fixing Belgian bayonets, and others still 
arranging their ammunition. 



SIIILOH BY AN EYE-WITNESS. 53 

" A chaplain was there, advising and encoura- 
ging as best he could. In the unexpected hurry 
of the hour some were nervous enough to fret 
and swear. A volley of awful oaths belched 
from the lips of an officer of high rank, and 
those were the last w^ords ever heard from him 
by the person whose attention was particularly 
drawn to them. The next he saw of the swearer, 
his body was pale, stiff, lifeless, having received 
several deadly discharges. But there were some 
Christians, who in that hour of danger had an 
humble hope in atoning blood; and although 
they instinctively shrank from the painful scene 
before them they did not fear to die. They 
prayed ; nor were others altogether prayerless, as 
appeared afterward. 

"Wallets containing money, with special me- 
mentoes to dear friends at a distance, were placed 
in the chaplain's care, who yet had no more rea- 
son to- suppose himself invulnerable than any one 
else. His next business was to look after the 
wounded and bleeding, and help them to the 
Landing. As the conflict raged and advanced, 
the stream of mutilated human life toward the 
boats in the river became perfectly awful. Seve- 
ral boats were converted into floating hospitals 



54: 



WAR PICTUKES. 



and completely crowded before night. The num- 
ber of surgeons was comparatively small. No 
detailed parties attended to the wounded and the 
^y^^S^ except in rare instances ; and consequently 
poor sufferers were left to endure fearful misery 
on the field and elsewhere, for want of proper 
and timely surgical attention." 

It is not within the contemplated scope of this 
work to give detailed and minute accounts of this 
or other battles. We attempt only the outlines, 
l^or should it be regarded as "speaking evil of 
dignities" where mention is made of official dere- 
liction or neglect. Much that we have occasion 
to record of lack of suitable provision, or needful 
attention, or military forethought, may have been 
unavoidable. In a nation " learning war," espe- 
cially, such " offences must come." 

We remained in catnp at Pittsburgh Landing 
until July 31st. In the meantime various inci- 
dents occurred which may interest the reader. 
About the last of June, a soldier came from a 
Division Hospital, six miles away, bringing with 
him the remains of his wife to be interred with 
our dead. Having a brother in our regiment, 
she expressed a desire to be buried near our camp 
ground. Two of our regiment had also recently 



A soldier's wife. 55 

died, and the three graves were prepared, side by 
side. She had come into the army to comfort 
and help her husband in his dangers and arduous 
duties. He having soon after been detailed for 
service in the hospital, she was also employed as 
a nurse. In this vocation she labored, night and 
day, with untiring assiduity, till at length she 
was herself seized with the fever and gradually 
sank under it. The burial of a woman in camp 
was a novel scene, and must in any circumstances 
be a very rare occurrence. "When sick, they are 
not like the men compelled to wait for furloughs 
before they can leave for home where proper 
attention may be had. 

One day, while sitting in my tent door, looking 
in the direction of our burying-ground, I saw a 
dead man carried from the boat for interment. I 
went out, according to my habit, to offer prayer 
at the grave. I tried in vain to ascertain either 
his name, the place of his residence, or the regi- 
ment to which he belonged. After some remarks 
and prayer we proceeded to fill the grave, when a 
chaplain, accompanied by an officer, came up, 
from whom we learned that he was a member of 
the 12th Michigan, a good man, and a local 
preacher in the Methodist connection. He had 



56 WAR PIOTURES. 

entered the service of liis countrj as a private in 
the ranks. Wo received from the chaplain many 
warm thanks for our respect and attention to his 
dead. 

It was my lot to attend the burial of many 
whose names were unknown. A soldier, for 
example, is carried to a boat, and his descrip- 
tive roll not being sent, in the event of his 
death it is impossible to tell his name, or where 
ho belongs, especially if the surgeons are dere- 
lict in their duty to find out the names and 
belongings of their patients. In such cases, we 
wrap the dead in their blankets and bury them. 
Why without coffins? Because, there are none 
at hand, and none to make them. Each regiment 
has enough to do in burying its own dead. In a 
case of this kind they only have time to dig 
a grave, which they are ready to do ; even 
this being, in some circumstances, especially 
where deaths are frequent and military duty 
pressing, no light tax. Our regiment being lo- 
cated during the summer at Pittsburg Landing, 
we had both fatigue and guard duty to per- 
form. Every day there would be at the land- 
ing fifteen or twenty boats, loaded with com- 
missary stores, forage, ammunition, heavy ord- 



" IIAEDNESS." 67 

nance, &c. These boats were to be unloaded, 
and tlie stores guarded at night. This labor 
our men performed, when there was scarcely a 
well person amongst them. Now, when to this 
is added the duty of burying all the dead brought 
there, it is plain the service was no light one. 

Indeed, in any circumstances, the soldier's life 
cannot be an easy one. His work is not only 
various, but arduous. It is not only to bear 
arms, to stand sentinel at night, but it is often 
to unload boats, dig wells, throw up breast- 
works, repair railroads, clear away the forest 
and build bridges. Ease is no part of his ex- 
perience. Rest is out of the question. " Hard- 
ness" is the lot of his daily life. He would 
prove but a bad soldier who, at the time of his 
enlistment, should make it a condition that he 
must sleep on a bed of down, be well fed and 
clothed, and never exposed to peril or required 
to move on forced marches. He must make up 
his mind to brave many a formidable thing be- 
side the deadly missile of his enemy. 

On the 16th of April, ten days after the great 
battle, we were happily surprised by a visit 
from Gov. Harvey, with a delegation of gentle- 
men from our State. They had come to ascer- 

3* 



58 WAK PICTURES. 

tain tlie condition of the "Wisconsin regiments, 
full reports of the battle and of our losses not 
having as yet appeared. Never wore friends 
made more welcome. Among them were sev- 
eral suro-eons w^io had volunteered their services 
in the emergency : one of them an old and inti- 
mate friend of my own, Dr. Clark, of Racine, 
whoso face it was pleasant to greet. Wa accom- 
panied these friends over the held, the Governor 
often expressing his astonishment at th(3 dreadful 
power of our artillery in hevring down the im- 
mense forest trees. lie took the dimensions of 
several sohd oaks which were cut down and shiv- 
ered as if by the lightning's stroke, remarking 
that he could scarcely believe what he then 
saw. 

Our visitors remained with us for some days, 
encouraging the men and complimenting them 
for their good behavior in presence of the foe. 
Gen. Halleck presented the Governor with a 
rifled cannon, belonging to a battery captured 
by the Fourteenth AYisconsin, at the same time 
expressing his thanks for sending into the field 
such clFicient troops. These compliments did 
the men much good. It was encouragement 
which they needed. Several regiments liad been 



DEATH OF GOV. HAEVET. 69 

drcadfullj decimated during the figlit; some 
which but the week previous were full to their 
maximum mimber now only counted up a 
few hundred. Many of these were sick with 
fevers, and all in a degree depressed. 'No man 
knew better how to inspirit them than Governor 
Ilarvej, and his addresses were received with 
hearty applause, and with loud cheers for the 
Governor of the State. 

How little did any of us dream, when, on the 
twentieth, these friends left us w^ith parting 
words full of cheer, that disaster and grief were 
so close at hand ! The Governor felt, as he had 
reason to feel, that important purposes had been 
accomplished by his visit. How little he 
thought, as he turned his face cheerfully home- 
ward, that there was but a step between him and 
death ! In the afternoon he left us, taking the 
steamer for home. On arriving at Savanna, wish- 
ing to pass from this boat to anotlier, which 
seemed to be lying close at hand, he fell into 
the river, was carried by the current under the 
boat and drowned. In the darkness the distance 
had seemed less than it was, and the reflection 
of the lights on board had aided the deception. 
Efforts were made to save him but in vain. 



60 WAR nCTURES. 

Some time had elapsed before even his body 
could be found. 

Gov^ Harvey was, while " clear in his great 
office " as Chief Magistrate of the State of Wis- 
consin, a man of strict religious principle. The 
writer well remembers a circumstance which it 
gives him much pleasure to recall. A few days 
previous to our regiment leaving the State the 
Governor visited the camp for the purpose of 
addressinsr the men. In a conversation with the 
writer, in the presence of many gentlemen 
know to be of irreligious habits, he spoke very 
freely, without the least apparent wish to con- 
ceal his views on this subject, of the nature of 
a chaplain's service, showing its importance, that 
it was his work to rebuke sin and exalt the Cross 
of Christ. I never felt more happy in my life 
than when listening to his remarks, so earnest, 
so entirely without reserve. 

One other circumstance illustrates the same 
point. It was related to me by one of the party 
who accompanied him on the boat up the Tennes- 
see. A meeting was held on the boat for j^rayer 
and conference. In this the Governor participa- 
ted, making some interesting and forcible remarks 
touching the value of practical Christianity. It 



CAMP LIFE. 61 

was said that lie talked like one truly in earnest. 

The Wisconsin soldiers all felt that each had 
personally lost a good friend in Governor Harvey, 
and the State one of its best executive men. At 
such a time it was a loss indeed to lose such a 
man. It came as a rod of severe cha-stening and 
summoned the state and the nation to humble 
acknowledgment of God. And how many such 
chastenings have visited us since this war began ! 
How many of the brave and good have fallen ! 
It is but due to Gov. Harvey's successor, Gov. 
Salomon, to say that he has fully met the expec- 
tations of his friends, and has filled the vacant 
place with great honor to himself and great 
advantage to the State ; proving himself to be a 
good executive officer, and impartial in the exer- 
cise of his gubernatorial functions. 

The monotony of camp life is fearful ; and yet 
it has its alleviations. The soldiers find means 
to dissipate what they call "the blues," sometimes 
by sports comparatively innocent, sometimes by 
those not so. Men, too, have different ideas of 
what constitutes haj)piness, so that one can glean 
where another sees only barrenness. When, 
however, they who love the Savior and the souls 
of men have opportunity to meet and converse, 



62 WAR PICTURES. 

they find that there is at least one source ot 
enjoyment that is in all circumstances available. 
A chaplain sees many dreary hours. Ilis work 
is very much amidst the sadder scenes of army 
life ; his associations are necessarily limited, and 
means of recreation few. lie learns accordingly 
to value the society of men of like spirit, and 
partakes with them in self-denying service. In 
such circumstances difierences of denomination 
seem of very small account. The writer cherish- 
es with great pleasure the recollection of associa- 
tions like these formed in the army. "With one 
brother in particular an interview was enjoyed 
while at Pittsburgh Landing which was not only 
cheering in itself, but is remembered also on 
account of the following incident related by the 
visitor : 

Previous to the capture of Island No. 10, Com- 
modore Foote called a council of war on his boat, 
to which he submitted a plan for taking the 
island. A part of the plan was to send down a 
gunboat, with a barge lashed to its side loaded 
with bales of hay, as a protection in passing the 
batteries. The plan was approved ; but who 
shall go? After some moments of profound 
silence the Commodore said, "I will go." To 



COMMODOEE FOOTE. 63 

tins tlic officers present would not consent, and at 
length one of the captains volunteered. It was 
deemed a hazardous service, and success by no 
means certain. Proper arrangements having 
been made, Commodore Foote commended the 
brave captain and his men to God in earnest 
prayer. The boat steamed safely down the river 
past the island, sustaining no material damao-e 
from the guns of the enemy, and when her own 
signal gun was heard far below, giving notice of 
her safety, a shout of joy went up from the fleet. 
The story of this achievement was made public 
of course, at the time, as part of the current 
history of the war; and its object was well 
known — to establish communication between the 
fleet above and the army below. To believers in 
the eflicacy of prayer, however, the signiflcant 
part of the whole transaction will seem not what 
was then published, but what was not. That a 
praying commander, whether at the head of an 
army or on the deck of a war-ship, should be a 
successful one is no new thing in history. " The 
sword of the Lord and of Gideon " represents an 
alliance in which defeat is impossible. Would io 
God we had more such men of prayer and faith 
as Commodore Foote. 



64: WAR PICTURES. 

" Father Hill is sick ! " Siicli was the rumor 
tlirongli the regiment one day; and it proved 
only too true. But who is Father Hill? A 
private in Company K. Is it anything so won- 
derful that a soldier is sick ? Ah ! but Father 
Hill is no ordinary man. Many a gentleman in 
shoulder-straps might well afford to take off his 
hat to him ; for it is not always the case that the 
men most worthy, or those at home most highly 
esteemed, are the men in command. 

Father Hill was a man between fifty and sixty 
years of age, a minister by profession and pos- 
sessed of approved talent as a public speaker. 
When the rebellion broke out, he committed 
himself at once and fully upon the side of Union, 
and did much by his public addresses to forward 
the work of enlistment. Finally he enlisted 
himself; stepped into the ranks as a private, and 
till his death served faithfully. He was greatly 
loved and respected in the regiment, as he had 
always been in the places of his abode and of his 
ministerial labor. Many times have I heard 
wicked men speak of him with emphatic ac- 
knowledgement of his sincerity and fidelity. 
J^umerous offers of promotion were made him, 
but he declined them all, until shortly before his 



"father hill." 65 

death. He then consented to accept a captaincy 
tendered him by the Governor, with the ready 
acquiescence of onr Coloneh His commission 
not having been received, however, he was still 
a private when he died. 

The following is related of him. Being de- 
tailed dm-ing the battle of Shiloh to assist in 
carrying off the wounded from the field, and 
drive cowards back to their work, he came across 
a wounded rebel who asked him for water. The 
good Samaritan supplied him with water from 
his own canteen. The wounded man then asked 
him to bind up his wound. He looked at it, told 
him he could do nothing for him, as the main ar- 
tery appeared to be severed. He was then 
bleeding profusely. The wretch began to curse 
and swear, using the worst epithets he could 
command in denouncing "the Yankees," and 
actually seized his gun to kill the man who had 
just given him drink from his own scanty sup- 
ply. Father Hill's fighting, like all else that he 
did, was earnest work. He was a man of deter- 
mined will and unconquerable resolution. I 
shall never forget the pleasant seasons we spent 
together. Although connected with different 
Christian denominations, yet we were none the 



6Q WAR PICTURES. 

less good friends. It was not my privilege to be 
with him in his last hours. He left me on the 
boat for the General Hospital, where he hoped 
to find the means of recovery, and soon return 
to us. But it was otherwise ordained. After a 
few weeks of illness he went home to the pres- 
ence of his Lord. May God bless his bereaved 
wife and only surviving daughter with divine 
consolations. 

Among those who fall on the field, or die in 
camp, are found the same varieties of religious 
condition as everywhere else. Occasionally it is 
our privilege to know that the departing spirit 
is prepared for the great change : in others v/e 
witness only despair, or stupor. While sitting 
in the door of my tent one day, looking out upon 
the thousands who crowded the great thorough- 
fare from the Landing to our lines near Corinth, 
I saw a company of soldiers engaged, apparently, 
in di2;£!:ino^ a ffrave. I went out and learned that 
they had brought for interment the body of a 
captain who had died in camj^. From one who 
came with the body, and was with him when he 
died, I learned the cheering fact that his last 
hours had been peaceful and happy. When 
aware that he was near his end he requested 



COMFORT IN DEATH. 67 

those about him to sing, and himself tried to 
join. After the singing, he said, " Tell my wife 
that I died a happy man, and am going to be 
with Jesus." O, what a message to send to a 
wife ! How different this from the exclamation I 
have heard from many others, " I am about to 
go into the dark. All looks dark — dark ! " 

One young man said, " I cannot die without 
Jesus." " O," said he to the nurse, " don't let 
me die, will you, till I have found Jesus ?" What 
an unfortunate moment at which to be first roused 
to feel the worth and the peril of the soul ! Why 
will men not attend to this great interest in 
health, when mind and body are in condition for 
it, and something more is possible than the hur- 
ried grasp of desperation at the last hope and the 
last opportunity ? But not all are awakened, 
even on the dying bed. 

This captain, above mentioned, had' sought 
Christ, it may be, in his early days, and had 
enjoyed the sweet experiences of divine love in 
his soul. When death came to him, though 
amidst the tumult and confusion of a soldier's life, 
he could die calmly : his only remaining work of 
preparation to send that message to the absent 
loved one. 



68 WAR PICTURES. 

One more incident of this kind I must relate. 
I clierisli it as among the most signal examples I 
have ever known of a soul in converse with 
heaven and " ready to depart." A yonng man, 
known principally for his retiring, modest ways, 
about twenty years of age, was seized with the 
fever that prevailed in camp. He w^as a member 
of the Fourteenth Wisconsin. His illness was 
prolonged, and death came only after a gradual 
wasting away. The winter previous, while we 
were in camp in Wisconsin, he gave his heart to 
God. His Christian evidence was, however, at 
first somewhat weak. The fear of death was 
taken away, and a great relish for the Word of 
God and for Christian communion imparted. 
Yet his experience had seemed to him defective, 
because his sorrow for sin had not been such as 
he anticipated, and he feared to believe that he 
was a child of God. 

I saw him many times a day during his illness, 
and had thus a good opportunity to judge of his 
true state of mind. At one of my calls upon 
him he wished to know my opinion with regard 
to his prospect of recovery. I frankly told him 
that I considered it extremely doubtful. To my 
l^reat surprise, he was as happy as an angel. I 



COMFORT IN DEATH. 69 

found that he had prepared his mind for such 
intelligence, and had abeady learned to cast all 
on the Savior. He immediately set about ar- 
ranging his worldly concerns, distributing what 
little effects he had, exclaiming, when this was 
done, " I am ready now." He then wished me 
to sing a familiar hymn of mine ; 

" Come sing to me of heaven, 

When I am about to die; 
Sing songs of holy ecstacy 

To waft my soul on high. 
There'll be no sorrow there; 

There'll be no sorrow there; 
In heaven above, where all is love, 

There'll be no sorrow there. 

"When cold and sluggish drops 
Roll oflF my marble brow, 
Break forth in songs of joyfulness, 

Let Heaven begin below. 
There'll be, &c. 

"Then to my raptured ear 

Let one sweet song be given ; 

Let music charm me last on earth, 
And^greet me first in heaven. 

There'll be, &c. 

"When round my senseless clay 

Assemble those I love, 
Then sing of heaven, delightful heaven, 

My glorious home above. 
There'll be," &c. 



W WAR PICTUEE8. 

After prayer he exclaimed, " Now, after I rest, 
I want you should sing another." 

I said to him that as he was weak we would 
wait until morning. 

" We will have it now," he said, "and in the 
morning too." 

In this state of mind I found him as often as I 
called. One night he sent for me, and as I 
approached he said, 

" Chaplain, I am going home to-night, and I 
wished to see you and hear you pray once more." 

I told him I did not think he would leave us 
that night. 

" "Well," said he, " I've got another visit from 
you, at any rate." 

The following Sabbath, about four o'clock, he 
received his discharge from earth. I was with 
him as the breath left his body. But a minute 
before I asked him if he was happy. I heard no 
voice, but a smile played pleasantly upon his 
cheek that seemed to say, "All is well." He 
extended his hand. I took it, and in a moment 
he was gone — yes, gone to Jesus. O, Lord, 
prepare the reader for that world where no sin is 
found ! 

His captain and many others came in to see 



FORCED TO ENLIST. Tl 

him during the last days of his illness, and on 
leaving expressed themselves astonished that a 
dying man could be so happy. It is an easy 
thing to die, after all, if Jesus be with us ; if we 
know that for us to be "absent from the body " is 
to be " present with the Lord." 

Among the wounded of the Southern army at 
Pittsburgh Landing was a youth from Central 
Alabama. Both of his legs were badly fractured 
just below the knee. As one of our soldiers 
came to him he called for water and was supplied. 
He then said, " This is my mother's fault. I did 
not want to fight against the Union, but she 
called me a coward and forced me to enlist." 

He gave the soldier a ring and requested him 
to send it to his mother, with the message that he 
had died like a soldier, but regretted that he had 
taken up arms against his country. It was 
doubtless one instance, out of a multitude, of 
men and lads forced into a connection with the 
rebel army by some kind of compulsion. Yet 
how strange that a mother could be found who 
could thus arm her son against his country and 
send him to a traitor's death I Delusion and 
passion — ignorance, prejudice and blind hate — 
what a reign have these evil spirits had in the 



72 WAR PICTURES. 

South, and what miseries have been the conse- 
quence ! 

One more sad record must be made before I 
close this chapter. Shortly after the battle of 
Shiloh our brave Colonel was laid aside from all 
official duty by illness. He had just been 
appointed, by Gen. Halleck, Provost Marshal 
and Commandant of the Post at the Landing ; a 
position both of honor and responsibility. After 
a few days illness, his friends advised him to 
leave for the ISTorth, hoping that a change or 
climate and good nursing would restore him. 
fie left for home on the 10th of May, all hoping 
to see him again in due time. But the disease 
had fully fastened itself upon his system and had 
become unmanageable. After weeks of suffering 
he died on the 18th of June. 

When the sad .intelligence reached us, there 
was mourning throughout the regiment. ]^ever 
was an officer more respected, more sincerely 
loved by his men. Often have we heard the 
remark, " Your Colonel is a gentleman ! " He 
had, besides, a ripe, fruitful mind, of clear and 
Bound judgment and resolute will.. He took his 
position with deliberation and stood there like a 
pyramid. In former years he filled with high 



DEATH OF COL. WOOD. 73 



acceptance the office of Judge in our Circuit 
Court. His death was to the regiment a loss that 
seemed irreparable. Having been with it from 
the first organization, its first instructor in mili- 
tary duty, and its leader in the first of its battles, 
himself standing all that day in the hottest of the 
fire with the same coolness of manner as if on 
ordinary parade — all these things had made the 
attachment of his men like "hooks of steel." 
All day, on that terrible Monday, the regiment 
had fought with a determination wonderful in 
troops so entirely raw, making the most desperate 
charges upon the enemy ; yet strange to say with 
comparatively but few killed and wounded. For 
the honor it won on that day, and its safety as 
compared with some others, the regiment ielt 
indebted, beyond every other human agency, to 
the skill and bravery of its leader. 

Col. Wood was not a practical Christian. He 
had, however, a respect for Christianity and for 
Christians. His character in all other respects 
was that of a strictly moral man, and a high- 
toned gentleman. His uprightness and honesty 
of purpose, and sterling manhood, may be com- 
mended to imitation. Yet the one perfect man 

is "the Man Christ Jesus."" 

4 



CHAPTER TV, 

ARMY RELIGION AND ARMY MORALS. 

Can a Soldier be a Christian? — A Case in Point — Piety in Camp 
— Influence of Chaplains — Good Books — Character of Services 
in Camp and in Hospitals — Benevolent Ladies — Mrs. Bj'ckcA 
dyke, Mrs. Plumber, Miss Johnson, Mrs. Wittenmeyer, Mrs. 
Webb. 

Is it unreasonable to suppose that a soldier 
may be a Christian as well as the man whose 
happier lot is the more quiet and peaceful life ? 
The army offers powerful temptations to vice and 
all kinds of immorality; — that is true. Yet, ' 
while such is the case, and many are overcome 
and make shipwreck of faith and a good con- 
science and return home demoralized, what is 
the true reason for such a sad result ? Is Christ 
necessarily any less near or precious to a Christian 
in camp than elsewhere ? Is grace any less pow- 
erful? Is not religion just as good and just as 
effectual ; is not heaven just as near to the Christ- 
ian soldier as to any other man ? 

(74) 



WAR AND RELIGION. 75 

The principle is, I think, on all hands conceded 
that war, at times, is an imperative necessity. 
When certain soldiers inquired of John the 
Eaptist, " What shall we do ? " his answer was, 
*'Do violence to no man, neither accuse any 
falsely ; and be content with your wages. " The 
common argument founded on this for the law- 
fulness of the military profession seems unan- 
swerable. 

It is true that war is contrary to the mild spirit 
of Christianity, and that there must be guilt on 
account of it at least on one side. But there are 
various professions for which there would be no 
use were it not for human depravity and in- 
justice. In a perfect world there would be no 
use for magistrates, or for civil or criminal law 
and its ministers. Though it may be a difficult 
point to settle when war becomes a necessity in 
a nation, yet its justice and necessity in some 
instances are beyond dispute ; and therefore the 
employment of the soldier must, generally speak- 
ing, be a lawful one. 

If John had not viewed the matter thus, would 
that inspired teacher, when soldiers under con- 
cern about salvation and their own duty came to 
him with such an inquiry as that above quoted, 



76 WAR PICTURES. 

have answered tliem as he did ? Would he not 
have exhorted them to abandon a profession at 
once wrong and perilous to the soul ? But, as 
we have seen, he gave them no such instruction. 
"Do violence to no man" — do not oppress any 
one; avoid unlawful pillage and unnecessary 
shedding of blood ; — " neither accuse any false- 
ly, and be content with your wages. " Be con- 
scientious, faithful, obedient and merciful. The 
Scriptures present to us, besides, a soldier of un- 
doubted piety, whose eulogy is thus beautifully 
set down ; " Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian 
Band, a devout man who feared God with all 
his house, and gave much alms to the people, 
and prayed to God always. " This is not only a 
charming picture of an honest, faithful and pious 
soldier ; but it illustrates the fact that even then 
military life was not necessarily inconsistent 
with religious principle and with true piety. 
There have been many such men in more mod- 
ern times ; — a Gardiner, a Havelock, a Hcdley 
Vicars. 

One example, at least, the annals of this war 
record. In the Detroit Free Press appeared, 
soon after the second battle of Bull Kun, a letter 
dictated by a dying Christian soldier. Col. Broad- 



A CHKISTIAN SOLDIER. TT 

dus, of Micliigan, to liis wife. It don"btlcss 
affords one instance of many tliat belong to the 
history of the war. The letter is as follows : 

" My Deaeest Wife : I write to you, mortally 
wounded, from the battle Held. We aro again 
defeated, and ere this reaches you your children 
will be fatherless. Before I die, let me im])lore 

that in some way it be stated that Gen. 

has been outwitted, and that is a trait* »r. 

Had they done their duty as I did mine, and had 
tiiey led as I led, the dear old flag w^ould have 
waved in triumph. 

" I wrote to you yesterday morning. To-day 
is Sunday, and to-day I sink to the green couch 
of our final rest. I have fought well, my dar- 
lings, and I was shot in the endeavor to rally our 
broken battallions. I could have escaped, but I 
would not till all hope was gone, and I was shot — 
about the only one of our forces left on the field. 
Our cause is just and our Generals, not the ene- 
my, have defeated us. In God's good time He 
will give us victory. 

" And now, good-bye, wife and children. Bring 
them up in the fear of God and love for the Sa- 
vior. But for you, and the dear ones dependent, 
I should die happy. I know the blow will fall 



78 WAR PICTURES. 

with crushing weight or you. Trust in Him who 
^ave manna in the wilderness. 

" Dr. Kash is with me. It is now after mid- 
night, and I have spent most of the night in 
sending messages to you. Two bullets have 
gone through my chest, and directly through the 
lungs. I suffer but little now ; but at first the 
pain was acute. I have now the soldier's name, 
and am ready to meet now, as I must, the sol- 
dier's fate. I hope that from heaven I may see 
the glorious old flag wave again over the undivi- 
ded Union I have loved so well. 

*' Farewell, wife, and babes, and friends. We 
shall meet again." 

How sweet is such a testimony, coming from a 
dying soldier, who, having lived the life of a 
Christian, was enabled to shout the ti-iumphs of 
victory in liis fall ! The writer's experience and 
observation lead him to the conclusion that not- 
withstanding the errors and faults of all, there 
are some who do really love Christ, in the army. 
Some of the most interesting meetings for prayer 
I have ever attended were in the camp. There 
are some in all regiments who are devotedly 
pious, and have a passion for souls. With many 
ot this class it was my pleasure to be associated, 



PIETY IN CAMP. Y9 

while serving as chaplain. Some of them were of 
denominations different from my own; yet they 
were Christ's true followers and loved his image. 
I am happy to say that this union of Christians 
on the platform of their common faith is no unu- 
sual thing in the army. They come together in 
the fullness of Christian sympathy, and commune 
in spirit much, I hope, as we shall in the Father's 
house above. It were well if all Christians had 
more of this mutual love ; not limiting them- 
selves by the bounds of their own church associa- 
tions, but esteeming all who are Christ's as their 
brethren. If we truly have the spirit of Christ, 
so it will be with us. 

I must be permitted, also, to insist that the 
services of chaplains avail more than many think 
to promote religion and morals in the army. 
There is a restraining influence in the very pres- 
ence of a minister of Christ, while words of 
warning and counsel are not often thrown away 
when judiciously spoken. Yery many times 
have soldiers apologized to me for the use of 
profane language when in my presence. The 
lack of that peculiar restraint which female soci- 
ety exerts is very much felt in the camp. A 
minister's influence in some measure supplies it. 



80 WAR PICTURES. ' 

The officers of a certain regiment remarked to 
their chaplain, on his return from home where he 
had spent a few days, '^The menliave become 
.very profane in your absence." The truth ot the 
remark was made evident by the fact that he 
heard more profanity in one day, after returning, 
than in any week before he left. 'No minister, 
worthy of the name, can fail to exert this kind of 
influence. He may not be so conscious of it at 
the time, but the evidence will in due time 
appear. Indeed, that man must be very much 
hardened in sin, who does not feel himself under 
some restraints in the presence of a pious preach- 
er of the G(^spel. 

While we lay at Pittsburgh Landing con- 
siderable hospital service was required of the 
chaplains. These hospitals were necessarily 
numerous, both those connected with regiments 
and Division hospitals. In one of these where 
my own labors were particularly required, most 
of the patients were convalescent, able to walk 
about and attend service. My custom was to 
take a stand a stand near by, in a beautiful shade, 
and commence singing, when large numbers of 
the men would immediately come together and 
listen by the hour to the preaching. It was here 



PREACHING IN HOSPITALS. 81 

that some of my happiest hours, while in the 
army, were spent. They appeared exceedingly 
anxious to receive the Gospel. Yery many were 
Christians and seemed happy and joyful, even in 
the midst of sorrow. It is easy preaching, when 
men hang upon the lips of the speaker, rejoicing 
in the "glad tidings." There is one dash of 
discouragement. The inmates of the hospitals 
are continually coming and going. Many hear 
the preacher one day who are beyond his reach 
on the next. This is, however, but another 
inducement to improve with fidelity each present 
opportunity. 

The men in the hospitals showed special eager- 
ness to obtain religious books and tracts. Of 
these I aimed always to have a supply. The 
amount of good which these little messengers of 
mercy have done and are still doing in the army 
is inc<ilculable. The press has in this instance 
proved how powerful it is, as an engine of useful- 
ness, when rightly employed. Our brethren of 
the Societies deserve high commendation for what 
they have done in the distribution of religious 
literature in the army. It appears to have been 
the special study of those having this work in 
hand to prepare the reading matter best adapted 



4 



* 



82 WAH PICTURES. 

to the end, and at the same time give it the help 
of taste and beauty m the mechanical execution 
of their little works. The soldiers appreciate the 
fact ; and their books and tracts have, while con- 
tributing to while away the slow hours of tlie day 
in camp, or the more tedious period of convale- 
scence in the hospitals, not only saved their 
readers from books of an evil tendency, but have 
left impressions for good which must be lasting. 

The times and places for preaching in camp 
must of course depend on circumstances, it being 
impossible to fix upon any arrangement not liable 
to frequent interruption. Our aim was to have 
religious service every Lord's day, both for 
preaching and for prayer. But the plan was 
often interfered with unavoidably. A battle 
-would sometimes ensue, or marching orders be 
given, when the tents must be struck, wagons 
loaded and other preparations made. At such 
times all is excitement, and the minds of the men 
are occupied with far other matters than prayer 
or preaching. Sometimes the Paymaster makes 
his appearance; not unfrequently arriving on 
Saturday ready to commence operations on the 
morrow. 

All these things are of com-se beyond our con- 



PKEACUING IN CAMP. 83 

trol, and however much we may regret them 
they evidently cannot be helped. The worst 
of all is when unnecessary parades, or reviews 
are planned for the Sabbath. This is sometimes 
done apparently with the design of interrupting 
religious service. For such interferences the 
officers alone are responsible. When no such 
interruptions occur, we aim to keep up one 'meet- 
ing regularly. Those for prayer are generally of 
a very interesting character ; not only well 
attended, but very solemn and impressive. Often 
1 have known persons to rise unsolicited and aak 
an interest in the prayers of Christians. 

The character of the exercises on preaching 
occasions differs somewhat from what is custom- 
aiy where people are pleasantly seated in church- 
es. The camp exercise, as a general thing, 
requires to be short and direct, if we would 
retain the hearers. Prosy and lengthy discourses 
they would not tolerate. In the hospitals it is 
different. There men are at leisure, and their 
minds have been in a measure prepared for the 
contemplation of serious things by the tedious 
discipline of sickness, or wounds. 

The impression that the chaplain's duty is a 
less laborious one than that of other officers ori- 



84 WAR PICTURES. 

ginates in the fact that his work, to a great 
extent, is not of a kind to be known. It is, in 
fact, not second to that of any otlier post in 
arduousness and in the demand it makes upon 
time and strength. People misjudge when they 
think that because he carries no musket, performs 
no guard duty, nor tedious marches on foot, that 
his life is an easy one. I have been in the 
Christian ministry nearly twenty years, and have 
seen a good deal of hard service, with exposure 
to the rough weather of all seasons. Having 
been in chaplain duty for a year, I think I can 
judge of the comparative tax upon one's energies. 
The labor in the camp is not less severe, as 
regards either the physical or the mental ener- 
gies, than in any other department of ministerial 
service. The mind may not be so much taxed in 
the preparation of discourses ; but it is constantly 
taxed in study how to adapt itself to the peculiari- 
ties of the position, and meet adequately, and 
with right influences other minds and hearts so 
almost hopelessly diverted from serious things. 
Almost every variety of character and talent is to 
be met. The sick are to be visited, the dying 
consoled and instructed, the dead to be buried. 
A careless-minded chaplain, reversing the scnti- 



LABOR OF CHAPLAINS. 85 

ment of the Apostle and seeking ^^ yours not 
you^^^ maj pass through the routine of positively 
required duty, with little effort io find opportuni- 
ties of usefulness. But the servant of the Lord 
Jesus, having the mind that was also in him, will 
feel burdens of anxiety continually weighing him 
down. The faithful and earnest chaplain often 
finds occasion to retire and weep before the Lord 
over the hardness of men's hearts, and the want 
of faith and fidelity among Christians. 

In addition to the labor spoken of, there is the 
writing of letters for soldiers, answering letters of 
inquiry about husbands and sons in the army, 
and writing to friends of deceased soldiers — all 
consuming time, and all taxing the mental ener- 
gies. I speak of these things simply by way of 
protest against the impression which some have 
that the chaplain's post is a species of sinecure. 
After all, it is not wise in this or any other sphere 
of service to be overmuch anxious as to the opin- 
ions of men. If we "have this testimony that 
we please God" we can well afford to suffer 
under some misconstruction at the hands of men. 
It is enough that the disciple be as his master 
and the servant as his Lord. "If they have 
called the master of the house Beelzebub, much 
more shall they call them of his household 1 " 



86 WAR PICTURES. 

At this point may be appropriately named an- 
other class of benevolent persons, who have been, 
both for chaplains and surgeons, " fellow-helpers" 
indeed. The injunction of our Savior is always 
worthy of regard: "Tribute to whom tribute 
and custom to whom custom " — both as respects 
payment of taxes, and the rendering of deserved 
praise. "Woman occupies on the page of inspired 
history a conspicuous place, often being repre- 
sented there as what she is, man's attendant 
angel, us ready to minister to him in trying 
times, as when fortune smiles. Nowhere does 
woman appear to greater advantage than at the 
bedsides of the sick and dying. Her smile, even, 
kindles hope and joy when all other comforters 
fail. It is not to be expected, of course, that any 
one chaplain should acquaint himself with all 
who may be alike worthy of mention. What I 
shall say must have reference to those only whose 
labors have come under my own observation. 
Of these it affords me great pleasure to speak. 

Mrs. Byckerdyke, of Galesburg, 111., President 
of the Sanitary Association in that city, it was 
my pleasure to meet the week previous to the 
battle of Pittsburg Landing. She was at that 
time in the hospitals at Savanna ministering to 



BENEVOLENT LADIES. 87 

the sick soldiers there, most of whom were Don- 
elson heroes; now prostrated with diseases, the 
eiFect of exposure to cold and to storms. Never 
was woman's mission more faithfully and tenderly 
performed. In all weathers, and by night and 
day, with such intervals of rest as were absolutely 
necessary, she went from hospital to hospital, 
supplying them with the sanitary goods with 
which she was put in charge ; at the same time 
exercising a sort of supervision over the different 
departments. I may safely say that no surgeon 
in the army has performed more service, or done 
more for the sick and dying. While the names 
of many shall rot, her name will, like that of 
Dorcas, be long remembered. 

It has greatly pleased me, as I have fallen in 
with this excellent lady at different times, to hear 
soldiers express their joy in meeting her ; calling 
her " Mother," as truly she was a mother to them. 
Slie filled to them, in a great measure, the place 
of the mothers at home, attending them in their 
w^anderings and exposures, sitting by them to 
cool their parched lips when fever overtook them, 
binding up their wounds and warding off the 
stroke of death. I know well what a satisfaction 
it has been to the waiting and praying ones far 



88 WAR PICTURES. 

away to know that the place tliey would so gladly 
have filled in their own person, was still not by 
any means quite empty. 

Mrs. Plumber, of St. Louis, also rendered very 
important service ; as did, likewise. Miss Johnson, 
of Pennsylvania. The mission of these ladies 
was performed on the boat Louisiana^ which was 
used for hospital purposes, on the Mississippi 
and Tennessee rivers. Many a poor, sick man 
will have reason to bless God forever that he 
ever saw these ladies — who sought every oppor- 
tunity in their power to do them good. It is well 
to employ ladies in the hospitals, if for no other 
purpose than to pass round among the sick occa- 
sionally. The presence of woman gives some- 
thing of a home-like air even to the hospital, 
taking away much of the gloom that otherwise 
prevails there. It keeps the mind from dwelling 
constantly on the dark side of the picture, so 
injurious often to the patient. 

Mrs. Annie "Wittenmeyer, General Agent of 
the Ladies' Aid Society, in Iowa, is deserving 
of special mention. Her deeds of benevolence 
and her noble daring are on the lips of all who 
know her in the Army of the Mississippi. The 
self-denying labors of this estimable lady will be 



BENEVOLENT LADIES. 89 

fully known only when the records of all human 
actions shall be brought to light. I do believe 
that she has an insatiable thirst for doing good, 
and is willing, in order to accomplish her benevo- 
lent ends, to endure privation and hardship to 
any extent. It is impossible that the names and 
deeds of such persons shall be forgotten. 

The Governor of Iowa, to show his apprecia- 
tion of her labors, appointed her General Agent 
of the Sanitary Department in that State. The 
able and lengthy report which she prepared and 
submitted to the Legislature shows how exten- 
sively she co-operated with the agents of other 
States in the North- West. I only regret that I 
cannot do her greater justice in these pages. 
She is worthy of being everywhere known as the 
angel-woman whose deeds have been full of 
devotion and benevolence. A few extracts from 
her Report will give the reader some idea of her 
interest in this work in which she engaged at her 
own charges : 

"Every sick soldier restored to health is one 
added to the Federal army ; every life saved is a 
home-jewel that some mother, wife, or sister will 
value more highly than a diamond of the first 
water." 



90 WAR PICTURES. 

" Our free institutions, with all that exalts and 
ennobles American womanhood, are in danger. 
Shall we hesitate and falter ? Have we not come 
to the kingdom for such a tim^ as this ? We feel 
that we already have your answer." This is her 
address to the benevolent of her own State. " A 
hearty response comes to us," she says, "from 
every part of the State, full of hope and cheer to 
the suffering soldier." 

Another extract will show more clearly the 
arduousness of her labors : 

"We have been and are still giving all our 
time, freely and gratuitously ; have been obliged 
most of the time to live on army rations ; have 
labored incessantly, in deadly, malarious districts, 
exposed to all the diseases of the climate and the 
army. We have had perils by land and by 
water ; and if we did not feel that the object for 
which we labor is a noble one, and if we had not 
the best evidence that many of our suffering sick 
were being relieved and encouraged by our 
efforts, we should at once abandon the enter- 
prise." 

These extracts may give some idea of the 
extent and spirit of the work done by self- 
denying women in the present war. May this 



BENEVOLENT LADIES. 91 

lady meet with a reward commensurate. I 
might mention other similar cases. Mrs. Webb, 
of Wisconsin, acting in a similar capacity for lier 
own State, is certainly rendering a most praise- 
worthy service, and deserves the grateful recogni- 
tion of the Government and the people of her 
State. 

The ladies of Chicago have a special claim to 
honorable mention here. In no city of the land 
has the soldier had more efficient friends, and of 
these ladies have been among the foremost. 
Some, like Mrs. Porter, have given themselves 
wholly to hospital service, and spent months at 
the seat of war. Others, like Mrs. Livermore, 
have held official positions in connection with the 
Sanitary Commission, and labored night and day 
for the soldier's benefit. Still others, among 
whom may be named ladies of the First Baptist 
Church, have visited the camps of the South- 
west, bearing medicines and delicacies for the sick 
and wounded; while at home diligent fingers 
toiled, and purses were always open. These 
manifestations of patriotic and benevolent sym- 
pathies will not be among the incidents of this 
war soonest forgotten. Indeed, it is these 
which the war-worn veterans, themselves, will 



92 WAR PICTURES. 

hereafter longest cherish, and even grave and 
dignified history might spare a few pages for such 
a record. 



CHAPTER Y. 

ADVANCE ON CORINTH. 



Orders to March — Glad to Leave — Pittsburgh Landing and Vicinity 

— Shiloh Church — Hamburgh — A rebel Preacher — The Union 
Army on the march — Slow and sure — The Armies face each other 

— Weeks of waiting — Corinth is ours, but why? — Description of 
the Place — New Duties — "Contrabands" — A bleaching Process 

— Providential Overrulings — The War aLiberator — Congress and 
the President — Southern Testimonies. 



"Welcoi^ie, thrice welcome news came to us 
from Corinth over the wires about the first of 
August, that we should leave at once for Ham- 
burgh, some five miles still further up the river. 
The distance was but a trifle, it is true, but then 
it was to afibrd us a change, and an opportunity 
to once more breathe a pure air. With great joy 
we bade adieu to the spot where we had spent so 
many lonely and unpleasant hours, breathing an 
atmosphere tainted by the dead bodies of men, 

(93) 



94: WAR PICTURES. 

horses and mules. Seldom does one spend so 
long a time in any place witliout forming some 
kind of local attachment; but here is one to 
which we look back only with feelings of sorrow. 
There are the graves of our fellow soldiers, many 
of whom were once our neighbors ; there we 
have witnessed untold more agony of suffering 
than it was ever before our lot to see. To remain 
there all summer in the midst of such scenes was 
trying in the extreme. 

The place, itself, is at the best an undesirable 
one, having few if any natural attractions. Many 
are surprised on learning that Pittsburgh Landing 
was a place of no importance, whatever, before 
the battle which was fought there — not even 
deserving a place on the map, as the reader will 
discover. It consists only of two buildings, one 
immediately on the river, a small, insignificant 
wood building, which was occupied as a storage- 
room during our stay ; and the other a double log 
house, of which I have spoken in the previous 
pages, as used for an amputating room immedi- 
ately after the battle. It is a woodland place, 
with but few acres of clearing around it; the 
dense forests skirt the river and extend all the 
way to Corinth, with now and then a small spot 



PITTSBURGH LANDING. 95 

of cleared land. The country, about the Land- 
ing, is very broken. Deep ravines open in 
almost every direction. The only thing of any 
interest is the beautiful Tennessee, at this point 
far more beautiful than even the noble Mississip- 
pi, though of course not so wide. The opposite 
shore, while somewhat lower, is still sufficiently 
high for cultivation, and appears rich in its native 
state, but almost entirely unimproved. 

Although the soil is generally of an inferior 
quality, yet cotton grows quite luxuriantly. Let 
^Northerners take it and cultivate it after their 
style, and fruit might also be raised in abundance. 
Grapes, especially, grow astonishingly. I have 
seen a grape vine which measured six inches in 
diameter, and extended the whole length of a 
tree, a hundred or more feet in height. The 
small clearings in the vicinity do not present so 
favorable an appearance as formerly, owing to 
the devastations made by the two armies. When 
the rebels were there they took almost every- 
tliing of value, and when they passed away our 
own troops completed the work. Fences were 
either burned as fuel for ovens, or used in bridg- 
ing the road ; log-houses were demolished — and 
indeed all things seemed as if there had not been 



96 WAR PICTURES. 

a resident there for many years. It is not likely 
that our eyes will ever rest upon the spot again. 
We hope and pray they never may. 

There remained, for some weeks, an interesting 
relic on the field of Sliiloh — the old log meeting- 
house which was the only building there. AVhile 
it continued standing, it was much sought unto 
by persons anxious to secure some memento of 
the place and the scenes it had witnessed. Shat- 
tered by the storm of battle, it had suffered still 
more at the hands of such visitors. Doors, win- 
dows, shutters and the door and window frames 
had been removed. By these means the supports 
of the rude structure had become much weak- 
ened, and when one day about a year since a 
surgeon, who with other officers had stopped 
there to lunch, chanced to remove an old Aus- 
trian musket which without his knowledsre was 
doing service as a prop, the log it upheld came 
down, and the whole building followed. The 
persons within escaped death very narrowly, but 
bore away numerous bruises. The remains of 
the building have since been consumed by army 
bakers, or carried away by relic hunters. A sub- 
scription paper was started for the purpose of 
rebuilding, but came to nothing. Shiloh church 



^.--4m# 




SHILOII CHURCH. 



SHILOH CliURCn. 97 

was, in one part of the battle, Beauregard's head- 
quarters ; subsequently, a place of refuge for the 
wounded of both armies. It is a pity that it 
should have been destroyed, as it must have 
remained in time to come an object of great 
interest to visitors. 

Our orders, as I have said, fixed our next loca- 
tion at Hamburgh. The reader must not be 
surprised to learn that the improvement in our 
circumstances was but slight; — save only that 
by the change we escaped from many unpleasant 
sights and odors. Hamburgh will never vie with 
Chicago in population, trade or commerce. It 
consists of only about twenty-five dwellings, all 
told, which are very inferior, there not being a 
good house in the place. There are no signs of 
either wealth, or enterprise, or intelligence. This 
is easily accounted for, when one learns that there 
is not a school-house there, and only one very 
ordinary meeting-house, with its interior unfin- 
ished. The location is a very favorable and 
pleasant one for a towm; plenty of ground on 
which to build, soil productive, yielding abun- 
dantly in fruits, etc. Here Gen. Pope landed 
with his forces, as he came up the river a few 
days after the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, or 

5 



98 WAR PICTURES. 

Sliiloli. It was thus made a military post, where 
immense supplies were kept for the army, until 
possession had been gained of the railroad from 
Columbus to Corinth. 

During our stay of a few weeks in Hamburgh^ 
a squad of guerillas was brought in and delivered 
over to us for safe keeping. Among them was a 
preacher, who had done more than any other man 
in that region of country to excite the people and 
draw them off from the Union ; being a Professor 
in one of the Southern schools and an intelligent 
man, he had used all his influence as a minister 
of evil. He was safely shackled and housed in 
in an old log-prison, to await further orders. 
"While in this condition he sent for me to come 
and see him, wdiich I did. I found him hand- 
cuffed and looking like anything but an honest 
man and a minister. There are times when 
chains are no dishonor, and especially to a ser- 
vant of the Lord Jesus. Paul's chains were no 
dishonor to him, neither was he ashamed of them 
when he stood before Agrippa. But it is quite 
another thing to be in bonds for treason, one of 
the highest crimes known to the laws of any 
nation. 

I could not feel any pity for this man as I 



A EEBEL PEEACHER. 99 

looked upon him, for his crime deserved not only 
the prison, but the halter. Those very qualities 
which under other circumstances would have won 
esteem and honor, only made his treason seem 
more abominable. He used every endeavor to 
interest me and excite my sympathy, but in vain. 
I told him that I looked upon him as a felon, 
deserving to die by the rope. I informed him 
that I had nothing consoling to offer ; that was 
not my errand, but to tell him precisely how we 
regarded the crime of which he was guilty, en- 
treating him to improve the few days of life still 
left to him in seeking after repentance. 

This, of course, he called " uncharitable ;" but 
I told him it was impossible to be a true Chris- 
tian and at the same time a traitor to his country. 
The Divine injunction is, "Obey them which 
have the rule over you." Treason, like this of 
the Southern Eebellion, is the most outrageous 
violation possible of that command. He had 
been, also, a cruel persecutor of Union men. 
"VYhen our troops came up the river he was sta- 
tioned at Savanna. Yery much frightened at 
their approach he fled back into the country. 
Afterwards he was caught with a squad of guer- 
illas, and bruught into our camp. He, and such 



100 WAR PICTURES. 

as he, are among the men chiefly responsible for 
this terrible war. What became of him I never 
learned, as our stay at Hamburgh was short ; 
our next destination being a point south of Cor- 
inth, where our regiment remained some two 
months. 

Ee turning to the more general operations ot 
the army, the reader will understand that while 
a few resriments were left on the bank of the 
Tennessee, the great bulk of our force advanced 
by slow degrees towards the rebel stronghold at 
Corinth. This is a point of railroad center in 
Mississippi, to which our enemy fell back after the 
Shiloh battle, and where he maintained himselt 
fur some time with dogged resolution. 

There have been many conjectures why Gen. 
Grant, immediately following the great battle oi 
Shiloh, did not advance more rapidly on the 
enemy, instead of giving him time to fortify his 
position, and render it in a measure impregnable. 
After all that has been said in explanation of his 
course, and the many plausible views suggested 
by his friends, there still remains a doubt and a 
mystery. From all that we could learn at the 
time, our troops were as well prepared to march 
as theirs, and might have made as good time. 



A QUESTION". 101 

The argument that the roads were bad — almost 
impassable — which was no doubt the ftict, does 
not meet the ease. If the rebels could travel 
through the mud and take along with them their 
heavy ordnance, why might not we have done 
the same ? Had we advanced, as we were pre- 
pared to do, we should have been but a few hours, 
at most, behind the rebel army in arriving at 
Corinth. If they were as badly cut up as repre- 
sented in our public journals, why give them 
so much time to rest and recruit their wasted 
energies ? 

It argues one of two things : either the Gene- 
ral commanding did not entertain the same im- 
pression as the correspondents who represented 
the opposite army as so badly dealt with, or his 
sympathies for the rebels were so strong as not to 
allow an onward advance of his army. This last 
I am not disposed to believe. It is evident that 
the rebel army were still in a lighting condition ; 
that notwithstanding their many and severe losses 
by death, wounds and otherwise, they were strong 
enough to resist even a powerful attack. Subse- 
quent events prove it. An army that can hold 
at bay an assailing force seventy or eighty 
thousand strong, must possess on its own part 



102 WAK PICTURES. 

formidable elements of strength. If the rebel 
army siiflfered immense losses at Pittsburgh, ours 
were as great or greater, when we include the 
wounded, the missing, and those taken prisoners. 
Their loss in killed would far outnumber ours, 
which was fearful indeed. To say the least, it 
was a hard-fought battle, both armies displaying 
a desperation seldom equalled in all past wars ; 
each ambitious and determined to conquer. That 
we succeeded in driving them from their point of 
attack secures to us the laurel of victory; still, 
we hoped to have won a more undisputed suc- 
cess in return for such a tremendous outlay of 
life and treasure. 

In many things it must be acknowledged that 
the Southern army have ever had the advantage. 
Understanding, as they do, the topography of 
their country, its best places for defence and for 
ambush, they are enabled to evade our trooj)s, 
who are necessarily ignorant of the passes and 
dehles, and draw them into "traps." "While 
they keep us constantly on the march, they sel- 
dom meet us in the open field, or give us oppor- 
tunity to encounter them arm to arm and hand 
to hand. 

It is an easy thing for tlie red-man of the wil- 



tHE ARMY IN MOTION. 10 



Q 



derness to lie in ambusli and slay our soldiers, 
who travel, like men, the highways, ready, in 
open daylight, to attack their enemy. Just as 
easy is it for the rebels to skulk into unlikely 
places where we should least look for them, and 
cut off our men as they march along the open 
road. This is no triumph, to slay our soldiers in 
a mode of warfare suitable to savages only. But 
in this way they have an advantage. Tw^o or 
three thousand men, led by such a General as 
Price, can keep twenty thousand on the chase. 
While this is so, when will the end come ? 

But to return. It was a grand sight, indeed, 
to see the vast army of the Union in its wilder- 
ness camp, all preparing to move uppn the enemy 
in his stronghold. Some were striking tents, 
some loadiug wagons, others moving the artillery, 
others still pitching tents for a temporary stay, 
until ordered to march again ; every day expect- 
ing the great fight to be renewed. The roads 
leading from the Landing were literally crowded 
with army teams, each of six mules or horses, 
drawing forage, commissary stores, ammunition, 
etc., for the army in the advance. One division 
moves to-day, another to-morrow; those in tlio 
rear advancincj to the front. Davs and weeks 



104r WAR PICTITEES. 

were thus spent in the march, feeling along as if 
approaching a masked volcano. 

At length the great army comes to a stand. 
Earthworks are carefully thrown up, behind 
which the troops might fall back in case of neces- 
sity. Pickets are thrown out in the advance to 
test the strength and disposition of the enemy. 
Sometimes these are driven back, after a smart 
skirmish in which a few are killed or wounded. 
That the two opposing generals were both cau- 
tious, prudent and sagacious, no one could doubt ; 
displaying fine strategy with perfect knowledge 
of military rules. Gen. Ilalleck had, in the 
meantime, arrived and taken command of the 
Union troops ; Gen. Beauregard, Gen. A. S. 
Johnston having been killed at Shiloh, being at 
the head of the rebel force. 

At lehgth the opposing armies are within one 
mile of each other ; the rebels protected by their 
immense walls of earth, and the felled forests 
which oifer the most formidable difficulties to the 
advance of our artillery. They seem confident, 
yet we are no less so. Here, then, the opposing 
hosts face each other, when night shuts in on 
them and when morning ai^proaches ; not for a 
few days, but for weeks. At length a change 
\ 



COKINTH IS OTJES. 105 

comes. Corinth is ours. We have only to enter 
and take j)ossession. The prize is won. But 
what made it ours ? Was there a great battle 
fought, as had been so long expected ? 'No. The 
sound of cannon had not been heard. Ko pow- 
der had been burned, except by the skirmishers. 
Who fought the battle, then, and won the honors ? 
jN"o one. The enemy thought best, for certain 
prudential reasons, to leave and change their base 
of operations. They quietly moved away, taking 
their own time and choosing their own route, and 
thus invited, or suffered, us to come in as the 
occupants. 

Were there no means by which information 
could have been obtained of their position or 
intentions ? Why is it that they are always so 
fully acquainted with our movements, and plans 
even, while we remain ignorant of theirs ? Is it 
that they are more shrewd and sagacious than 
we ? Is it that their lines are more vigilantl}^ 
guarded against the admission of spies ? The 
intelligent reader must decide for himself. 

Corinth in Mississippi does not, indeed, very 
much resemble its namesake of classical fame ; 
doubtless, however, it will have its own place in 
the pages of history. For not only was it the 

5* 



106 WAR PICTURES. 

strong fort of the rebellion in tlie Soutli-West 
during the spring and summer of 1862, but be- 
came later the theatre of one of the most desper- 
ate and bloody battles of the war. Of this battle 
I shall have occasion to speak ere long. 

Corinth might be made one of the most active 
and prosperous inland towns in the South ; not 
because it has the best natural location, but as a 
railroad center, and therefore of necessity a point 
of importance. It had, at the commencement of 
the war, a population of about fifteen hundred, 
with a few public buildings considered, in that 
country, models of Architecture. In the North, 
however, they would be looked upon as very 
ordinary specimens of the builder's art. The 
Tishomingo House, its principal hotel, is of brick, 
not imposing in its appearance, yet as being at 
the junction of the two railroads centering there 
designed evidently for an extensive patronage. 

If one w^ere to judge of the religion of the peo- 
ple from the number and character of the church- 
es, the verdict could not be a favorable one. The 
church edifices are of exceedingly moderate pre- 
tensions with few signs of good taste, as respects 
either style or convenience. The school houses 
are better. Just south of the town, on a beauti- 



^ THE TOWN. 107 

fill commanding eminence, stands an Academy 
built of bi'ick and of ample dimensions, capable 
of accommodating three or four hundred pupils. 
The main part of the building is completed in 
tolerable modern taste, although the wing, de- 
signed doubtless for boarding purposes, still 
remains with its walls only in a finished state. 
We learned that a prosperous school was in pro- 
gress there at the breaking out of the war. JBut 
its Preceptor, being not a little tinctured with the 
Southern disease, was ordered, on the arrival of 
the Union army, to take his departure and not be 
seen there again during the war. The building 
is at present used as a General Hospital, in which 
from fifteen hundred to two thousand inmates 
have been lodged and tended in their sickness. 

Corinth is not, now, what it was before our 
forces arrived there. Its roads and its railroad 
buildings have been so much improved that some 
of its inhabitants, after an absence of a few 
months, hardly knew it on their return. Govern- 
ment has expended no small amount of capital 
and labor in the erection of machine shops, ware- 
houses, and buildings for the accommodation of 
the army. On the whole, our forces have greatly 
improved the town in appearance and in reality. 



108 WAR riCTUKES. 

Should the acrricnltural resources of the conn- 
try about ever be fully developed, Corinth would 
become a place of considerable activity. Let the 
soil in its vicinity be cultivated as efficiently as is 
done in the Korthern and Eastern States, and it 
will yield a rich return. Although it is not as 
vigorous in its native condition as the soil of 
those States, yet being adapted to cotton-growing, 
as well as to most kinds of grain and fruits, the 
profits of these staples would be found sufficient 
to support a large population. Villages and cities 
grow as the country develops. Of this Chicago 
is an eminent instance. Its large population and 
its flourishing trade are due, in great part, to the 
immense and fruitful region that is its tributary. 
In proportion as the country continues to develop, 
Chicago will also grow and prosper. So with 
other towns, especially such as grow up at rail- 
road centers. 

The country in the neighborhood of Corinth is 
mostly a wilderness, with now and then a clearing 
which indicates improvement of some kind. All 
the way to tlie Tennessee river, a distance of 
over twenty miles, there are but very few im- 
proved farms, no school-houses which we have 
ever seen in our repeated journeys, no churches 



THE COUNTKY. 109 

save the Sliiloh elinrch standing adjacent to the 
battle-ground ; an old log house, with its interior 
entirely unfinished, and its whole asj)ect very 
uninviting. Indeed, the entire country, for a 
large district around, indicates but little wealth, 
and far less enterprise, or activity. What can 
Corinth hope to become, while the region about 
it remains thus waste, with a sparse population, 
unenterprising and of scanty intelligence ? 

We had but little opportunity to ascertain the 
character of the inhabitants of the town, as most 
of them retired before our troops entered the 
place, so that but few remained to give us infor- 
mation. Those who did remain professed to be 
loyal, and chose rather to abide by their stuff and 
take their chances, in the hope of federal protec- 
tion. However it ma}^ have been with the 
greater number, Bome of them, at least, gave us 
good reason to doubt the genuineness of their 
attachment to the Union, or its symbol, the Stars 
and Stripes. 

On the 5th of September, I received orders to 
report at once to Major Gen. Ord, Commander of 
the Post at Corinth. I went, accordingly, much 
wondering. The General received me pleasantly 
and explained that he wished to put me in 



110 WAK riCTURES. 

charge of the " contrabands " about Corintli, who 
were sc. tiered over the country adjacent, with 
no one to look after them, no provisions, no 
homes. The town was also infested by them, 
and in many instances they had not only proved 
a great annoyance to the citizens but were cor- 
rupting and demoralizing the soldiers. Besides, 
it seemed necessary to have them concentrated 
at some one point, where the men might be ea- 
sily reached when needed as laborers on the 
public works, or the women as laundresses in 
liospitals. 

The order admitted of no choice on my part. 
I had no disposition to resist, yet the question 
was natural, why a chaplain should be employed. 
It seemed as if this sort of duty might be thought 
nnbecoming to other officers, and so thrown upon 
the chaplain as the man of all work. I was con- 
scious of no lack of sympathy for the poor peo- 
ple of whom I was to have the charge, yet it 
seemed only fair that I should know why a 
chaplain had been selected for this service. The 
General explained. Some time, he said, had been 
spent in looking about for the proper person to 
place in that responsible position, some one of 
humane and kindly feelings towards the poor 



" CONTKABANDS." * 111 

blacks, and who would attend to the work with 
fidelity. I at once accepted the post and entered 
with interest upon its duties. 

It very soon a])peared that the work was to be 
both arduous and unpleasant. No definite plans 
had been adopted with reference to the colored 
people within our lines. The question arose, 
what is to be the future condition of this people? 
Are they to be reduced again to slavery as soon 
as our army advances, and made to serve with 
more rigor, perhaps, than before ? Or are they 
to be forever and absolutely free? Subsequent 
events have answered these questions greatly to 
the joy of all who desire the freedom and eleva- 
tion of the world's oppressed races. At the time 
I entered upon the post in question, I could only 
labor in hope. 

The details of the service were numerous and 
perplexing. Tents for the accommodation of the 
fugitives already in the place were provided, and 
the poor creatures, men, women and children, as 
pleasantly housed and taken care of as the 
means afforded would allow. The day following, 
however, another coT^ipany came for which no 
tents had been provided. These, consequently, 
had to be obtained. From day to day fugitives 



112 WAR PICTURES. 

continued to pour in. On Sunda}^, just before 
sunset, over five hundred came in one body, of 
both sexes and all ages. The names of all had 
to be taken, with the names of their masters and 
the States from which they came. On the mor- 
row, before breakfast was finished, another crowd 
of eleven hundred, came to my quarters. It 
seemed as if the whole slave population were re- 
ally fleeing from their oppressors to a land of 
freedom. By this time it had become quite evi- 
dent that it was to be no easy task to provide 
for and watch over such a multitude of helpless 
beings, already numbering, at least, two thou- 
sand of all ages. 

Among the number were many far whiter in 
complexion, doubtless, than the masters who op- 
pressed them. A female came to me to register 
her name. I said to her " This is the place for 
colored persons, only." Said she, "I am unfor- 
tunately a slave." This I could scarcely believe, 
and I hesitated for some time, thinking she was 
practicing a deception to get her food. I could 
hardly believe, even yet, that in America, en- 
lightened. Christian America, we had gone so far 
in crime as to sell our own flesh and blood and 
bones, making merchandise of our very children. 



"contrabands." 113 

The features, complexion, hair, all were those oi 
a white person, and gave no evidence whatever 
of negro blood. She may have been either a 
child of misfortune, of poverty, turned into the 
negro quarters and left to grow up a slave. Per- 
haps, which is more likely, one of those instances 
which show at once the licentiousness and the 
barbarism of slavery, . a fruit of the "bleaching 
process " that is one of the chief abominations 
of the system. She is the mother of two 
children, either of whom is as white, dear reader, 
as your child, or mine. Must not God visit the 
people for such things ? 

In the expressive language of the lamented 
Mitchell, "We must destroy slavery, or it will 
destroy us." " All the hopes of humanity for a 
thousand years to come are involved in this 
struggle." Let us thank God that the doom of 
"the sum of all villainies" is written, and that 
the iniquitous institution is "marching along, 
with railroad speed, toward that bourne from 
whence no revolution can ever return or restore 
it." From even the point of present beginnings 
can be foreseen the utter extinction of slavery. 
May God hasten it! 

The method of divine Providence thus far, 



114: WAR PICTURES. 

with reference to tins evil, as seen in the history 
of the present war, is deserving of study. "While 
the age in which we live is marked by extraordi- 
nary movements and changes, both in the polit- 
ical and the moral world, no part of it, perhaps, 
has been more strikingly characterized in this 
way than the past two years. And the signifi- 
cant feature in all is the method of Providence 
in producing these changes. There has been an 
action of Government, as plainly was needed; 
and there has been a pressure of popular senti- 
ment acting on the Government inducing, to a 
great extent, the measures adopted. Yet two 
years ago the nation and its rulers were both far 
enough from being either in a disposition, or in 
circumstances^ to enter upon measures so radical 
and so far-reaching in their effects. 

We find the explanation of all in the history 
of the war, itself. We began this struggle with- 
out any proper conception of its real scope, and 
with almost no preparation at all. A regular 
army of 18,000 men, scattered over this wide 
domain, most of them in posts far away on the 
frontier, and very few of them where they could 
be made available for even the defence of threat- 
ened points, A navy of a few ships, purposely 



PKOVIDENCE IN THE WAR. 115 

sent away on distant expeditions, and scarcely 
one at home for immediate service. A Govern- 
ment, during the time when State after State was 
seceding, managed in the interests of rebellion, 
and turned over at last to the new Administration 
bound hand ami foot. The President of the 
nation's choice compelled to enter the Capitol in 
disguise, and his life in danger on the very day 
of his inauguration. Did ever a nation enter 
upon a conflict with internal foes at a greater 
disadvantage ? Nor did either the people or the 
Government realize at the outset the real nature 
or the destined extent of this conflict. The rebel 
leader, himself, acknowledges that all his own 
prognostications deceived him. It has been in 
the devel(ypment and intensity of the struggle, and 
the pressure of those terrible exigencies that from 
time to time have presented themselves, that the 
important measures to which allusion is made 
above had their birth. God has placed the nation 
in straits where it had no choice but to act, and 
where the very nature of the necessity gave it 
jpower to act. 

In these circumstances, we can now see that a 
wonderful progress has been made. The Con- 
gress of 1861-62 was probably the most impor- 



11 G WAR riCTURES. 

tant in our mstory. It passed that act so long 
desired by the friends of freedom and true patri- 
ots, the abolition of slavery in the District oi 
Columbia. Thus one foul disgrace was wiped 
out, and the manacled slave no longer stands 
pleading vainly for his rights in the shadow ot 
the national Capitol. Another act adopted by 
the same Congress prohibited the introduction of 
slavery in any territory of the United States ; this 
also a measure longed, hoped for and struggled 
for — yet how vainly till the pressure of national 
trouble came ! Ilayti and Liberia were acknowl- 
edged, as they ought long before to have been. 
Then we had the confiscation bill, which uses the 
master's own hand to cast off the voke from his 
bondsman's neck. Later came the act of the 
President, first announcing his purpose after a 
certain date to free the slaves of all persons still 
continuing in rebellion, and afterwards executing 
this purpose in his memorable Proclamation. 
The 22d of September, 1862, and the 1st of Jan- 
uary, 1863, are days henceforth illustrious, not 
only in the annals of our own country but of the 
world. 

Of these changes, my own work at the time 
now referred to was to me, at least, a notable 



PKOVIDENCE IN THE WAR. 117 

sign, while others were seen on every hand. As 
the result of such enactments, liberty was offered 
to the chaplains, everywhere, to preach the Gospel 
of the grace of God to those who had been all 
their lifetime in ojopression, unable to assert their 
own personality. In Mississippi, a State whose 
slave laws were peculiarly severe, I saw on a 
plantation, right in sight of a cotton gin where 
had long been wrung out the sweat and life-blood 
of the poor captive, an encampment of negroes 
w^ho never till that day could say, " We are our 
own ; these hands, these feet, these tongues are 
ours;" and there w^as no man who dared to gain- 
say their claim. Truly, God has done great 
things, and greater are yet in store. lie has at 
length heard the groaning of his poor, despised 
people, as long ago he heard Israel in Egypt. 
" The cries of them who have reaped are entered 
into the ears of the Lord of Sabbaoth, and he 
hath come down to deliver." Whether slavery 
be abolished at once, or by a gradual process, it 
is at least now in the last great struggle. The 
main artery is tapped and the blood is flowing 
out. 

Among the evidences of this may be taken the 
outspoken declarations of men who have here- 



118 WAR PICTURES. 

tofore been the supporters of tlie system and 
sharers of its gains. Union men in the South, 
many of them at least, sustain the President's 
Proclamation. Col. Hamilton, of Texas, repre- 
sents the sentiments and position of large num- 
bers. My readers may recall these words of his 
in a speech delivered at a public meeting in 
'New York ; 

" I do not want the aid and sympathy of a man 
who thinks that the war must be carried on in 
such a way as still to preserve the cause of the 
war. I want it so settled that when the thing 
shall have been disposed of, no other men having 
a tendency to treason will find the same cause on 
which to found a rebellion." 

Nor does he leave us in doubt as to what he 
esteems the cause of the present war. " I in- 
tend," he says, " to contribute my humble efibrts 
to pull up slavery by the last roots. I know that 
slavery must perish, in order that liberty may 
survive. I know that the manacles must fall 
from the fettered limbs of the black race on this 
continent, in order that the white man ma}^ not 
be manacled. I take my position on the side of 
my race. I demand liberty for my children at 
the expense of negro slavery. If the whole 



SOUTHERN TESTIMONIES. 119 

planet of the earth, and all the other planets of 
the universe were crowded with negroes under 
similar circumstances with those in the South, I 
would strike the manacles from every slave." 

Mr. Carter, of Tennessee, remarked in the 
same meeting, and he himself a slaveholder, '' I 
beg these editors, for the sake of our common 
country, for the sake of the weeping and perish- 
ing thousands of loyal men in the South, to 
cease traducing the Government, and sustain the 
Government. I am conscious of having lost 
rights, not through m}^ own Government, but 
that of the accursed Southern Confederacy. I 
have lost the right of abiding under my own 
vine and fig tree. In short, I have lost the right 
to be in my own country a freeman." 

If Mr. Carter would know who is originally 
to blame for all this, let him charge it to the 
institution he has labored so long and so indus- 
triously to foster. He has crushed God's poor 
and taken their wages unjustly. Let him not 
wonder if judgment is returned upon his own 
head. We value, however, none the less his 
testimony to the virulent spirit of the rebellion 
and the bitterness of the root from which it 
springs. Other leading men of the South have 



120 WAR PICTURES. 

seen and acknowledged how hostile to the Union 
and to every national interest slavery is. Never 
did any great iniquity more signally sentence 
itself than has this. The day must come when 
of all who yet advocate its cause there shall be 
left none to plead for it. May God hasten it in 
his time. 



CHAPTER YI. 

THE NEGRO AND HIS DESTINY. 

A Sad and Bitter Legacy — How the Poison Works — Ill-treatment 
of "Contrabands"— "Angel's Visits"— The Slave Girl and her 
Rescuers — Well done, 22d Wisconsin ! — " The Vexed Question " 
— Colonization: Is it Practicable V Is it Expedient? Is it Just? — 
Will Free Blacks W^ork?— The Chief Obstacle— Labor and Capi- 
tal in their True Relations — Let us Do Right. 

"Not tlie least of the questions once more or less 
speculative, but made practical by the war, is that 
which concerns the negro. The fathers of this 
nation have almost neutralized the privileges of 
independent government which they won for us 
in the grand struggle of the Revolution, by 
entailing along with them the curses and compli- 
cations of African slavery. Indeed, as I write 
these words it is still a question whether the 
slavery they left to us will not yet despoil us of 
all that better legacy so far enjoyed in the form ol 
free institutions. 

It is painful to trace the poisonous ejBfect of this 



122 WAR PICTURES. 

system even among IS'ortliern men, numbers of 
whom never saw the thing itself until events of 
the war brought them face to face with it. Quite 
too much of the tendency predominant at the 
South to rate the negro as a more intelligent sort 
of brute, is observable among those who, born 
and educated at the North, should know better. 
Tliere are noble exceptions of which I shall have 
occasion to speak ; yet truth compels me to 
declare that the unfortunate colored race have not 
always found friendly treatment even at the 
hands of Union men. Possibly some apology 
ought to be admitted on the ground that the dis- 
position of "contrabands" has always been, in 
some respects, a perplexing and embarrassing 
subject to army officers. Provision for such large 
numbers of helpless creatures could not be easily 
made, in addition to all the care and complication 
of the regular army supplies ; while their pre- 
sence within our lines of course much increased 
the difficulty of maintaining needed military 
discipline. Nor is it wonderful that the self- 
reliant, energetic men of the North should feel 
disgusted sometimes at the utter shiftlessness and 
childishness of those whom generations of bond- 
age have almost despoiled of the last vestige oi 



ILL TREATMENT OF CONTRABANDS. 123 

manhood. And yet, it is not right to forget that 
these poor creatures are children of the one 
father; nor that by as much as we have, as a 
nation, been concerned in their degradation, we 
are bound to seek in every possible way to raise 
them again to the human level that must once 
have been theirs. 

Much of the ill-treatment which the " contra- 
bands " have received was utterly without excuse. 
Cases have come under my observation, and not 
a few either, where men have been employed, 
rendering diligent and faithful service, and turned 
off with an order on some irresponsible person ; 
their pay of course thus going by default. In 
one instance (and the names of the parties ought 
to be published), a negro man, one of the most 
industrious of them all, was engaged to dig 
graves for a hospital. He worked hard for two 
months, dug and covered many a grave for the 
poor soldiers, but at last sickened and died. All 
that was furnished for his burial was a rough, 
square box. Thus ended the poor grave-digger. 

But this is not the whole of the shameful 
story; I wish it was. His wife served during 
the time as a laundress in the hospital, and when 
she herself failed and gave out, never was a 



IM WAR riCTURES. 

Imman being treated with more perfect indiffer- 
ence. She came and told me her sad tale ; that 
she and her hnsband had not only served without 
even the slightest remuneration, but were turned 
off in utter helplessness when sick. Such things 
are hard enough at any time, but perfectly outra- 
geous among those who profess better things, and 
at such a time as the present. 

Besides, all kinds of deception are practiced 
upon them. In their ignorance they are, of 
course, easy game. Often when they earn a little 
money it is taken from them in exchange for 
worthless paper, or coin. _ This I have often 
detected, and threatened to punish the parties if 
found engaged in it again. Why, then, should 
the negro not look with suspicion on the white 
man ? Is it not, indeed, a wonder that with such 
treatment as he has received he remains to such a 
degree as he actually does trustful and submis- 
sive ? His master oppresses and deceives him all 
the days of his bondage, taking from him his 
hard-earned wages wrongfully ; and when he 
escapes to those who offer him freedom, instead 
of friends ready for the part of the good Samari- 
tan he finds himself in the hands of deceivers 
and defrauders still. 



angels' visits. 125 

Tlie writer lias the pleasing consciousness of 
having done all that was in his power for this 
unfortunate and down-trodden class. By a con- 
sistent course of patience and forbearance their 
confidence was won. They have often appealed 
to me like a child to his father to decide points of 
difference that arose amongst them. How many 
sleepless hours have I passed, thinking of their 
hardships, and how sad and startling and fearful, 
sometimes, has the question ol their destiny risen 
before the mind. What is to be the future of this 
unhappy race ? 

The anxiety necessarily incident to my charge 
of the freed negroes, at Corinth, and later at 
Cairo where my duties in this regard detained me 
for some months after the battle at the former 
place, was sometimes relieved by association with 
benevolent persons w^ho were prepared both to 
sympathize and to help. I have had some 
'' Angels' Visits" of this kind which I recall, 
now, with exceeding pleasure. Those who may 
enjoy congenial Christian fellowship at any time 
can scarcely realize what it is to one situated as I 
have often been. I have at such times thought 
of Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration ; when 
his soul so loved the place and its high and holy 



126 WAB PICTURES. 

fellowship that he exclaimed, " It is good to be 
here"; and there, on that consecrated hill, 
desired to fix his abode. 

On one beautiful Sunday morning of Decem- 
ber, 1862, there came into our office three unpre- 
tending strangers whom I recognized at once as 
Friends, or Quakers. The name of one of them, 

Mr. C , was familiar to me, as I had often 

heard of him as one of the truest and most active 
philanthropists of the day. He was accompanied 
by two friends, a gentleman and a lady. The 
three had fallen in company on their way to 
Cairo to look after the wants and condition of the 
colored people then in that place under my 
charge. I soon found out that though called by 
a different name than my own, they were none 
the less devoted Christians, disciples of Jesus. 
They spent the whole of the Lord's day with me. 

This visit, while affording me great encourage- 
ment in my work, left with me some thoughts on 
the subject of Christian association which I found 
sweet and profitable after my friends had left. 
It had never fallen in my way to make many 
acquaintances amongst that class to which they 
belonged ; but I am prepared now to recognize 
the distinctive traits of the genuine Christian 



angels' visits. 127 

spirit in some at least, if not all, of that interest- 
ing people whose unpretending name is signifi- 
cant of the gentleness and kindness and wide 
benevolence for which they have always been 
remarkable. These Friends of whom I speak 
seemed to me divested of everything like denom- 
inational or sectarian prejudice. I saw the diffei*- 
ence too between talking Christianity and acting 
it; between devotion to creeds and formularies, 
and love for Christ and for souls. 

And this " godly simplicity " — what an engag- 
ing trait of Christian character ! It is the trans- 
parent medium through which we look in upon 
the heart and discover there the spirit of the dear 
Lord himself. l!^or does a Christian need any 
kind of ostentation to commend him either to 
God or to his fellow men. When such Chris- 
tians meet, they soon know each other. " Christ 
in them the hope of glory," becomes a means 
of mutual recognition ; for " as in water, face 
answereth to face, so the heart of man to man." 

To Mr. C I am indebted for the following 

touching incident: In the autumn of 1862, an 
interesting mulatto girl of about eighteen years 
of age was sold, in Lexington, Ky., for seventeen 
hundred dollars; the purchaser designing to 



128 WAR PICTURES. 

place her in a house of ill-fame. To this the 
poor girl refused to consent ; every feeling of her 
nature recoiling at it. She had, though a slave, 
the instincts of a woman, and felt that death 
would be preferable to such a destiny. 

The day following, she came into the camp of 
one of our Wisconsin regiments and there told 
her sad story. She was not repulsed, but found 
herself amongst a thousand true-hearted men, 
who assured her of all the protection in their 
power. They matured a plan by which to place 
her beyond the reach of the vile wretch who 
called himself her master. It was to send her in 
disguise, accompanied by two stout and brave 

soldiers, in an army wagon to the city of . 

This was accordingly done. At the place of 
their destination they introduced her to kind 
friends by whom her rough male attire was 
exchanged for more suitable apparel from their 
own wardrobe. They found her as interesting 
and engaging in character as pleasing in person, 
notwithstanding the dark hue of her skin. 

Here she rested a few days before resuming 
her journey. During the interim of her sojourn, 
she with her escorts visited the daguerrean rooms 
and had their likenesses taken ; she sitting in the 




THE SLAVE GIKL AND HER RESCUERS. 



THE SLAVE GIRL. 129 

center with a soldier on either side, with their 
revolvers drawn, showing their readiness thus 
to protect her, even at the cost of their own 
lives. The rescued girl is now among Chris- 
tian friends who spare no pains to make her 
both comfortable and happy. " Thus the stranger 
did not have to lodge in the street, but friends 
opened their doors to the traveler." 

A letter from Mr. C since his return home 

encloses the picture of which I have spoken, 
together with a letter received from the two 
young heroes after their return to camp. I give 
both of these, for the satisfaction of my readers. 
The first is from Mr. C to myself: 

"Rev. J. B. Rogers: 

"My Dear Brother — 

" Since my return home I have received so 
many letters of inquiry, and have had so much writing to 
do, with many other cares, that I have not found a moment 
to spare, in which to fulfil my promise of writing to thee. I 
will now take a moment, and enclose the picture I promised, 
of that amiable slave girl and the noble young officers in 
disguise that rescued her from a doom worse than death. 
She was sold at Lexington, Ky., for $1,700, to be placed in a 
house of ill-fame. When she learned her doom, she fled 
into the lines of the 22d Regiment, Wisconsin, for protection. 
, 'They did protect her, dressed her in soldier's clothes and 
brought her safely to my house. She is now safe in Wis- 
consin, where she is kindly and properly cared for and 
instructed. 

6* 



130 WAR PICTURES. 

•' Hoping to hear from thee soon, I remain, with much love 
and sympathy for thee in thy arduous work, 

" Thy sincere friend and brother in Christ, 

"L. C ." 

The following is the other letter alluded to 
above : 

*' In Camp near Nicholsville, Kt., Nov. 17, 1862. 

"Fbiend L. C : 

"As the Lord prospered us on our mission to the land 
of freedom, so has He in our return to our regiment. At 
5 o'clock on Friday evening, after a ride of three days, we 
arrived at our camp near Nicholsville ; and you would have 
rejoiced to hear the loud cheering and hearty welcome that 
greeted us on our arrival. Our long delay had occasioned 
many fears as to our welfare; but when they saw us ap- 
proach the burden of their anxiety was gone, and they wel- 
comed us by one hearty outburst of cheers. The Colonel 
was full of delight, and when he heard of the friend, L. C — , 
who so warmly welcomed us to the land of freedom, he 
showered a thousand blessings on your head. The way was 
opened, and we were directed to you by an unseen, but 
ever-present hand. The Lord was truly with us upon that 
journey. 

" Your humble friend, &c," 

" What shall become of the negro ?" is the 
''vexed question" in our national politics. Its 
solution will not be reached, even when all that 
benevolent minds are hoping for in the freedom 
of the blacks, as a result of the present struggle, 
shall have been realized. Indeed, so far as we 
can now see, its chiet difficulty will then yet re- 



TUE VEXED QUESTION. 131 

main. The prejudices of race, in tMs country, 
create serious causes of embarrassment. In the 
^Northern States, these prejudices are already 
taking the form of positive hostility. Irish la- 
borers look with exceeding jealousy upon the 
introduction of colored ones ; a feeling that is 
fostered and aggravated, for partisan ends, by 
selfish politicians. In fact by no class, except 
those whose philanthropic feelings are interested 
in the fortunes of this unhappy people, is the 
negro made welcome as he comes out of Egypt 
into what his fond imagination has pictured as a 
"promised land." In the South he is appreci- 
ated as a slave^ but as a man, most of all a free 
man, not even tolerated. 

How it can ever be possible for this people, 
under such circumstances, to work out a desirable 
destiny for themselves; how they can even re- 
main in the country, as free, without being a 
constant occasion of collision and of political 
jangling; these are questions which puzzle the 
wisest and the ablest. So far, the measures 
adopted are in the form of temporary expedients, 
merely. The Government provides for those 
who come within our lines^ by sending them to 
points like Cairo, Fortress Monroe, or Port Eoyal. 



132 WAB PICTUKES. 

To some extent they have been distributed from 
these points as laborers or house servants to vari- 
ous parts of the North. Those wishing to employ 
them, in either capacity, are permitted to do so, 
giving them such compensation as they shall 
think proper. Some, of course — large numbers, 
in fact — are employed by the Government, or 
are maintained at Government expense. Many 
are aged, infirm, or crippled. Others have fami- 
lies with numerous helpless little children. The 
able-bodied men have work given them. Such 
are a positive advantage to the service. Every 
negro man thus employed saves to the Govern- 
ment twenty dollars per month, besides supplying 
the place of a soldier. As already intimated, 
they experience but scanty justice at the hands 
of ofiicials, in many cases being treated little it 
any better than formerly. 

The time must come, however, especially if the 
ends of this war as respects the Government and 
the Union are realized, when the question will 
require to be met — what to do with the black 
population ? A favorite solution of this difficulty, 
with many, is that proposed in Colonization, 
Perhaps, to some extent, the question may be 
thus met. So far, the negociations of the Gov- 



COLONIZATION. 133 

ernment with a view to secure some suitable 
home for this people have not been successful. 
Future ones may succeed better, and somewhere 
near the tropics an opening may be found for the 
realization of the scheme. Yet the expense of 
colonizing so great a number, the difficulties of 
transportation, the great length of time necessary, 
must render this method practically inadequate. 
Besides, it is a question whether the country, 
especially the Southern section of it, can afford to 
lose such a large laboring class. There is now 
nothing to spare in this direction, while the 
demand must indefinitely increase. The agri- 
cultural resources of our country have scarcely 
begun to be developed. Yast tracts of land, the 
best on the globe, lie uncultivated, within the 
limits of almost all the States. And the want of 
that kind of labor which the blacks supply is 
even now felt. After a year's experiment, it has 
been ascertained that Illinois, south of the 38th 
degree of latitude, can produce as good cotton as 
can be raised in Mississippi. The present diffi- 
culty is the want of sufficient help to raise it. 
The South needs more help. Indeed, we have 
never heard them complain of having too many 
laborers, but the contrary. The anxiety of the 



134: WAR PICTURES. 

people, there, to secure an outside source of sup- 
ply was seen lately in the eager efforts made to 
revive the African slave trade. With their four 
millions of slaves, and all the increase of these 
within themselves, there is still a desire to draw 
once more upon the savage swarms of the Guinea 
coast. 

To this reasoning it is replied that the blacks 
will not labor unless compelled. Facts do not 
warrant such a statement. The free blacks of the 
Northern States and in Canada are as generally 
industrious as any other class of the population. 
In those islands of the West Indies where the 
slaves recovered their freedom, they or their 
descendants manifest all the qualities necessary 
to material and social prosperity. Because as 
slaves they are indolent and listless, it does not 
follow that as free they will not be willing to 
work. Nor, even, because when suddenly freed 
they are found lacking in efficient qualities, are 
we to infer that the deficiency is radical and be- 
yond remedy. What is there in a state of slavery 
to cultivate manhood? How much to depress 
and destroy ! The stimulant of reward, too, is to 
be considered. If I employ a man to work for 
me to-day, and the day following, and so on for a 



COLONIZATION. 135 

succession of days, the time will come when he 
will demand, as is his right, a settlement. Were 
I to decline to grant this, or to recognize the 
validity of his claims, could I expect him to per- 
form what might reasonably be expected from 
one well paid for honest labor? Every man 
must have a motive ; and what motive has the 
slave ? Give a man no other motive than the ox, 
or the mule, and he becomes almost an ox or a 
mule himself. 

And there is the consideration of simple justice. 
If the black man has not earned for himself a 
home, who of us has ? Should he prefer to seek 
this home on another soil, where he can be social- 
ly and politically independent, let the opportunity 
be found for him, if possible. We believe that 
with very many, especially of the more intelli- 
gent, this course would be far preferable. But 
there are multitudes of others who can never feel 
that any country is a home to them but this, and 
a forcible removal in their case would be a cruelty 
almost as great as the bondage they had escaped. 

Could the prejudices of race and the bitter 
passions engendered by this slavery question be 
but set wholly aside, the difficulty in this case 
would quickly disappear. The negro would 



136 WAR PICTURES. 

remain on the soil where he has been " raised "; 
he would work for wages, willingly and indus- 
triously, and for wages sufficiently moderate to 
make the change a pecuniary advantage to the 
master. Labor and capital would adjust them- 
selves in their true mutual relations. Exception- 
al cases would occur, as among all working 
classes, of idleness, shiftlessness, beggary. This, 
however, would be the e\al incident to every con- 
dition of societ}^, and no worse, there is every 
reason to believe, among the C(:>lored race than 
the wnite. The haughty pride of the overbearing 
man-owner would, indeed, be brought down ; but 
this, while no disadvantage to the South itself, 
would be taking away out of the nation the worst 
element that has ever developed itself here. 
Nothing could be more ominous of evil to a 
Kepublic than such a spirit. Events now trans- 
piring show whereunto it inevitably tends. The 
testimony of that true statesman, Thomas Jeffer- 
son, on this point, is familiar to every reader : 
" There must doubtless be an unhappy influence 
on the manners of our people, produced by the 
existence of slavery amongst us." *'The whole 
commerce between master and slave is a perfect 
exercise of the most barbarous passions, the most 



LET US DO EIGHT. 137 

unremitting despotism, on one part, and degra- 
ding submission on the other." 

It would seem, in view of all, that the true 
national policy, as regards this subject, is simjyly 
to do right. The founders of the Government 
did not destroy slavery because they then could 
not, and because they believed themselves to have 
provided lor its gradual but ultimate extinction. 
Upon the present generation rests the responsibil- 
ity of dealing with this great wrong. Divine 
Providence, overruling the wrath of man, has 
brought things into a posture where Emancipa- 
tion has become a constitutional practicability. 
We believe that if Government will follow in the 
open path of that Providence, meeting each 
exigency as it arises and dealing with both mas- 
ter and slave in perfect equity, the difficulties will 
one by one be surmounted, until, having reached 
the high point of freedom and justice to all, we 
shall find it the pinnacle of national greatness. 

That pinnacle we shall never reach while cher- 
ishing amongst us a great injustice. Thus far 
in our history, not all the material prosperity 
enjoyed by us has been able to atone for the dis- 
grace which slavery has brought upon us. There 
stood, ever, in the Council of Nations, a stern 



138 WAR PICTURES. 

accuser charging upon "the model Republic" 
the gigantic and criminal inconsistency of pro- 
fessing freedom and practising oppression. But 
it will not relieve us to have changed the form of 
the wrong. Now, at last, let us "do justly and 
love mercy." Let us deal with the colored race 
on principles of right and humanity ; remember- 
ing that oppression, whatever its form, is never 
excused, but a thousand-fold aggravated, when 
the object of it is defenceless and poor. 



CHAPTEE YII. 

WESTERN BATTLES— BELMONT— ISLAND NO. 10. 

An Expedition under Orders — Arrives at Belmont — Battle, Victory 
and Retreat — A Fierce Struggle — Gen, McClernand's Address to 
his Troops — Incidents — Inside View of Island No. 10 — A Rebel 
General's Letter — What they are Fighting for. 

At this point may appropriately be introduced 
sketches and incidents of some of the principal 
Western battles, in a portion of which the writer 
participated. "What was not thus learned by per- 
sonal observation has been gathered from reliable 
sources. It will be necessary to go back to a 
date earlier than any before mentioned, and return 
along the course of events to the point which the 
personal narrative has now reached. 

On Thursday, ISTovember 6, 1861, orders came 

to Gen. McClernand, then at Cairo, to be ready 

to move with his brigade at night, with one day's 

rations. His brigade was composed of the 2Tth 

Illinois, Col. Buford ; 30th, Col. Phihp Fouke, 

(139) 



140 WAK PICTURES. 

and 31st, Col. J. A. Logan. They were joined 
by the 22d, Col. Henry Dougherty ; the 7th 
Iowa, Col. Lanman ; Taylor's Battery of Artil- 
lery, and detached companies of cavalry. The 
whole force was under command of Gen. Grant. 
At the time fixed, all were ready for departure. 

That night, the transports lay at Lucas Bend. 
Early in the morning they loft, and arrived at 
Belmont, on the Missouri shore. This is a small 
place, directly opposite Columbus, Ky. It is 
remarkable only for the cotton wood, which grows 
there to an enormoas size. It is a place so utter- 
ly insignificant as never to have had a place on 
the map, even ; although henceforth destined to 
be memorable in the history of wars. At Bel- 
mont, as well as at Columbus, a strong force of 
the rebels had for some time been posted. 

About 7 o'clock the gun boats Conestoga^ Lex- 
ington and Tyler joined the fleet, and Gen. Grant 
ordered the troops to disembark, and at the same 
time the gun boats to pass down the river as far 
practicable, and engage the enemy at Columbus. 
In an hour's time the fight commenced between 
the gun boats and the fort. Not much damage 
was done, only one shot striking the gun boats 
and killing two men. "While this was going on, 



BATTLE OF BELMONT. 141 

the land forces formed in marcliing order ; the 
right under command of CoL Dougherty, acting 
Brigadier General ; the left under that of Gen. 
McClernand. 

Scouts were sent out, who reported that the 
enemy were formed in line of battle 4000 strong, 
one mile from tlieir camp at Belmont. These 
forces had attacked and driven in our advance 
pickets, and soon our troops were made to feel 
that the battle must immediately open. Our 
force numbered oidy 2850 men. The enemy, 
therefore, had the advantage of superior numbers, 
as well as that of a choice of ground. Their line 
was formed in heavy timber land, which gave 
them shelter from our lire. 

Taylor's Battery was now divided into three 
sections, of two guns each ; four accompanying 
the land forces, and two stationed in a cornfield 
as a reserve. In a short time the battle com- 
menced on the right of the line, composed of the 
22d Illinois and the 7th Iowa. The iight was 
very severe, the enemy at the same time firing 
shells from Columbus, which did heavy damage 
to our troops. The battle soon became general, 
both armies suffering heavily. Col. Lauman, of 
the 7th Iowa, being wounded, Lieut. Col. Wentz 



142 WAR PICTURES. 

killed, and Major Rice wouuded, while the Adju- 
tant and the Sergeant Major were taken prisoners, 
that regiment fell into a temporary panic. 

Finally, the order was given to charge, and was 
received with cheers, our men driving the enemy 
beyond their encampment to the river, and burn- 
ing every article which they had in camp. The 
Major of the 27th set the first torch. Commis- 
sary stores were burned to the amount of several 
thousand dollars in value. A clean sweep was 
made of everything combustible in the camp. 
The success, however, was dearly purchased. 

Capt. B , Aid-de-camp to Gen. McClernand, 

was shot in the head and killed instantly. Capt. 
Markley, of the 30th, was also killed at the same 
time. Major Thomas McClerken, of the same 
regiment, had a portion of his skull and brains 
shot away by a musket ball. He was taken pris- 
oner and carried to Columbus, where he remained 
till the next week when he was sent to Cairo. 
There he died on the Saturday morning fol- 
lowing, surrounded by his family and military 
friends. 

Notwithstanding the losses in officers just men- 
tioned, we had yet achieved one of the most 
signal victories of the whole campaign, the ene- 



BATTLE OF BELMONT. 143 

my's lo&s being tliree to our one in killed and 
wounded. They had also lost their entire camp 
equipage, besides some of their best guns. 
Among these was the " Belle of Louisiana," one 
of the best guns in the rebel service. Our men 
carried it off the field, and brought it with them 
to Cairo. Of course our artillery did not escape 
injury. Yet the guns w^hich we lost were much 
inferior to those we gained. Not only was our 
artillery, on the whole, thus improved, but most 
of the infantry companies had the privilege of 
exchanging muskets of an inferior quality for the 
best kind of Enfield rifles. The boys returned 
toward the boats bringing off their trophies, in 
the best of spirits. 

While our forces were on the banks of the 
river, destroying the rebel camp, Col. Fouke 
detailed a company as scouts, who shortly re- 
turned with the intelligence that the enemy had 
crossed the river from Columbus in great force. 
Among them was the Irish Brigade, commanded 
by Gen. Cheatham. Nearly 4,000 fresh troops 
had crossed over to prevent our return and cut 
us off. When the reader considers that our 
troops never exceeded 3,000, he must know that 
tired and worn out as they were with the hard 



I'M WAR PICTURES. 

lighting of the day, it was no small matter to 
grapple in with 4,000 fresh troops who came in 
all the vigor of manhood to attack them. 

The scene which followed was one of the most 
bloodj of the entire day. We had swept the 
ground previously, having driven the enemy not 
only over the strong abattis, and away from their 
camp, but many of them into the river. ]^ow, 
in an hour least expected, we find ourselves sur- 
rounded by overwhelming forces, and the only 
alternative left to cut our way through and if 
possible take shelter under the protection of the 
gunboats. Our troops did cut their way through 
in the most gallant manner, and notwithstanding 
they were under a galling cross-fire, yet succeed- 
ed, although with the loss of many a brave man 
in the effort. The enemy followed our forces to 
the transports, and fired upon them wounding 
several. But the gunboats were soon in a posi- 
tion to return the fire with grape and canister, 
which caused great slaughter. Taylor's Battery 
also did good execution. Meanwhile, a number 
of our men having become scattered. Col. Dough- 
erty rode back from the levee to rally them, 
when he was shot in the leg and taken prisoner. 



5ATTLE OF BELMONT. 145 

As tlie transports were about leaving, the enemy 
opened fire again, but were again repulsed. 

Had Gen. John Cook, with his force of 1,100, 
small as it was, made an attack upon Columbus, 
as had been arranged, simultaneous with that of 
Gen. Grant on Belmont, not only would the rebel 
army at the latter place have been entirely cut to 
pieces, but Cobimbus itself must have fallen into 
our hands. Wliy the order which Gen. Cook 
was waiting for, from Gen. Smith, at Faducah, 
was not given, I am unable to say. The mystery 
has never been explained. It was, diubtless, one 
case out of the multitude of military mismanage- 
ment. The 30th 111. captured the only black flag 
that has been taken during the rebellion. The 
battle was one of the most severe of the cam- 
paign, considering all the circumstances. 

Many have asked why this battle was fought, 
and what important results were accomplished by 
it. Gen. Grant in his official report explains his 
reasons for attacking the enemy, which seem 
conclusive. The rebels, no doubt, w^ere about 
sending a force to strengthen Price, in Missouri. 
Grant's object was to prevent this, and also to 
hinder the enemy from cutting oiF columns of his 



146 WAR PICTURES. 

own men which lie had just sent to Cape Girar- 
deau in pursuit of Jeff Thompson. 

Gen. McClernand's address to his brigade, the 
day following the battle, will show not only his 
appreciation of the braver}^ of his men, but how 
he felt the loss of the heroes who had fallen : 

" The General commanding the Ipt Brigade of 
Illinois Yolunteers takes pleasure in meeting to- 
day those who conferred honor upon his com- 
mand, by their gallantry and good condimct 
yesterday. Few of yon had before seen a battle. 
You were but imperfectly disciplined and sup- 
plied with inferior arms. Yet yon marched n23on 
a concealed enemy of superior numbers on 
ground of their own choosing. You drove them 
steadily before you two miles of continued fight- 
ing, and forced them to take shelter in their 
entrenchments at Belmont, beneath the heavy 
batteries of Columbus. You drove them fror\ 
their position and destroyed their camp, bringing 
with you, on returning, two hundred prisoners, 
two field pieces and a large amount of property. 

" Reinforcements from Columbus then formed 
in large numbers in your rear, to cut you off, 
while the heavy guns were playi:ig upon your 
ranks. Fighting the same ground over again, 



m'cLERJSTAND S ADDRESS. 147 

you drove them the second time. A portion of 
the command, becoming separated from the rest, 
made a successful and well-ordered movement by 
another route and returned to the river. 

"After a day of fatiguing marches, fighting as 

i you marched, having been six hours actually 

engaged, you re-embarked and returned to your 

camp. On looking along our ranks, to-day, the 

Commanding General has cause to mourn the 

' absence of many of his gallant men — the vic- 

I tims of inexorable war. Some laid down their 

( lives on the battle field, offering their blood free- 

I ly, and giving their last and most glorious 

j moments to their country. Others bear honor- 

\ able wounds and suffer more than those who 

died. Yet it is hoped that they will return to 

their duties and win new honors." 

Our loss in this battle was over 100 killed, 154 
wounded, and about 90 taken prisoners. The 
enemy's loss is believed to have been three times 
as great. Among those of our oflacers who were 
taken prisoners were Surgeons Gordon and Whit- 
nell, of the 30th and 31st 111., who were detained 
over seven months before being exchanged. 

Of the various interesting incidents connected 
with the battle of Belmont, I will notice two or 



148 WAE PICTURES. 

three. At the close of Congress, in July, '61, 
Col. Fouke, of the 30tli 111., who was a member, 
sat by his friend. Col. Wright, of Tenn. On his 
leaving to join his regiment at Cairo, Col. Wright 
offered him his hand and said : 

*' Phil., I suppose the next ti:ne we meet it will 
be upon the battle field, as you go to take com- 
mand of your regiment, and I to mine in Tennes- 
see." 

At the battle of Belmont they met, and the 
first prisoners taken were from Col. Wright's 
regiment by Col. Fouke's men. The next day, 
Col. Fouke being at Belmont with the flag of 
truce, to bury our dead, a lieutenant of the rebel 
army asked him if he rode an iron gray horse. 
He replied that he did. The lieutenant then 
told him that his colonel had saved his life. 
Twenty-five rifles were aimed at him at one time, 
when Col. Wright, looking through his glass saw 
who it was, and immediately turned to his men 
with the words : 

" Boys, don't shoot ! It is my personal friend, 
Phil. Fouke, a Member of Congress." 

Col. Wright was afterwards shot, and died at 
Columbus. 

Kcference has been made above to Col. Dough- 



COL. DOUGHEKTY. 149 

crty. He was wounded three times and taken to 
Columbus. Three different amputations were 
found necessary, and he nearly lost his life. 
However, he was soon restored to his family, 
where with good attention and nursing he slowly 
recovered. He is new commandant of the post 
at Paducah. From an intimate friend of Col. 
Dougherty the writer received the following : 

At one of the battles in Mexico, he was severe- 
ly wounded in the leg by a rifle-ball, and fell 
from his horse. In attempting to reach the hos- 
pital, a few hundred yards distant, his strength 
gave way from the great loss of blood and he 
fainted and fell. A surgeon found him in this 
condition, took him to the hospital and dressed 
his bleeding wounds. About this time another 
one being brought in badly wounded, while the 
surgeon's attention was taken up with this new 
case Dougherty, feeling a little revived, slipped 
out ot the back part of the tent, moimted his 
horse and rode again into the hottest of the fight. 
I»[otwithstanding the painful character of his 
wound, he fought with incredible valor until the 
close of the bloody conflict. When he returned 
to the hospital, all exhausted, he received a 



150 WAR PICTURES. 

severe reprimand from the surgeon, and when 
inquired of why he acted thus replied : 

" The fight was not over yet, and I thought it 
my duty to go and do my part." 

It was several weeks before he left his bed. 

The evacuation of Columbus by the rebels, the 
occupation by them of Island Ko. 10, and the 
subsequent capture of that stronghold, are events 
in the winter and spring of 1861-2, with which, 
no doubt, my readers are familiar. From a 
"contraband" preacher, an intelligent man, who 
was present at Island No. 10 during the siege, I 
obtained an "inside view" which I may here 
produce. 

The rebels employed 1250 negroes at work on 
the fortifications. My informant states that a few 
days after he himself came a spy-boat was sent 
up the river to a,scertain the strength and position 
of the federal forces. When she discovered 
thirty, or more, of our transports, she gave the 
signals which (using his own words) consisted in 
" squealing, ringing of her bells and firing of her 
cannon." She returned, and brought the news to 
the General commanding that the Yankees were 
coming in great numbers, when the greatest con- 
8t.'?rnation seemed to prevail. 



ISLAND NUMBER TEN. 161 

The Federals had sent down a large force to 
hold Tipsonville, six miles below, and had cut off 
the supplies. For this reason as many, both of 
soldiers and negroes, as could be spared were 
sent away, as the provisions were being exhaust- 
ed. The general impression seemed to be that it 
the Union forces had made an attack on the day 
ol their first arrival the island must have been 
surrendered at once. The day after the arrival 
of tlie fleet a flag of truce was sent down de- 
manding instant surrender. Tliis was refused, 
and on the return of the flag the boats opened 
fire on the rebel batteries, and continued until 
they had shelled them all to pieces, cutting down 
cotton wood and sycamore trees and piling them 
up ten feet, or more, in height. Two or three 
days after, a shot from a gunboat entered the 
muzzle of one of the principal rebel guns, entire- 
ly unfitting it for use. At the same time the 
upper batteries were torn away, so that three 
hundred negroes worked several nights to repair 
them. 

^ As no lights could be used, this work pro- 
gressed slowly. At each discharge of our guns, 
which was every half-hour, the orders of the 
Overseers were, as soon as they saw the flash to 



152 WAR PICTUKES. 

drop behind tlie breastworks in the water ; the 
balls coining at times sufficiently low to entirely 
carry away the upper part of the foi-tiiications 
and often covering the darkies with mud and splin- 
ters. Then up they would scramble and at it 
again. They were greatly frightened, one of 
them exclaiming afterward, "Dis chile thought 
de judgment had come." 

The rebels labored hard to conceal the number 
of their killed from the negroes. As fast as one 
was killed he was carried off to a tent where the 
dead were laid. Into this tent the negroes were 
forbidden to go. When they asked the reason, 
the reply was, " We have men under there, 
asleep, who guard the batteries at night." Still, 
sometimes in the night the darkies, frightened 
away from their work, would run into this tent 
for protection. My informant having gone in, he 
" felt (using his own language) of a man's leg 
and found it stiff. I thought I would feel higher 
up on his body, and I found it also stiff. I struck 
it, and found it dead ! I said to the man who 
accompanied me, ' Jesse, there are dead . men 
under here.' Jesse replied, 'Yes, and under this 
end, too." He declared, then, that he would not 
go in aojain." 



ISLAND NUMBER TEN. 153 

On returning to their tents the boys said, 
" Don't you see how they are fooling us ? They 
have said that none had been killed but one man, 
and he was killed by a splinter." 

"Yes," replied Jesse, "I put my hand on a 
heap of 'em." 

Another said, "I didn't feel of but two; dat 
was enough for dis chile." 

It appears that the negro has a sort of super- 
stitious fear of a dead body, especially if it is 
that of a white person. This incident, according- 
ly, frightened them almost out of their senses, 
and they never went into the tent again. 

In about three days after the casualty which 
happened to the large gun mentioned above, the 
rebels fired another large gun at one of our stern- 
wheel boats, but the shot fell a hundred yards 
short. The captain then ordered a double charge 
to be put in, when the gun burst into fragments, 
killing three of their gunners. Their bodies were 
thrown a great distance into the air, and came 
down mangled corpses, while the ball fell midway 
in the river. The rebels then abandoned their 
upper batteries, as our forces could tear them 
down as fast as they could be re-built. They 

then went to work on the redan, and continued 

7* 



154: WAPw PICTURES. 

until ordered away for the safety of the negroes. 
Attempts were made to drill the negroes, but it 
was found they had no heart to fight against the 
North. Every time the Federals fired, the darkies 
would break and run. 

One evening, the news came that the Yankees 
had been badly whipped and their army dread- 
fully cut to pieces at New Madrid. This caused 
the wildest enthusiasm among the soldiers. Be- 
tween seven and eight o'clock in the evening, it 
commenced raining, with thunder and lightning ; 
the cannon, at the same time, roaring in such 
lashion as made the very earth tremble. One of 
the overseers, Darkins by name, came into a tent 
occupied by several negroes, my informant among 
the rest, and announced his purpose to remain 
with them. " It seems," said he, " as if God and 
man were against us. We shall all be taken 
to-night." 

Still later in the evening, a number of rebel 
soldiers came up from New Madrid, some without 
shoes, some without hats, and many almost per- 
ishing with wet and cold. They had been obliged 
to wade in water nearly to their necks, in many 
places. They brought the news that New Mad- 
rid had been taken by the Union army, with all 



A rebel's letter. 155 

the wagons, ammunition and guns, and that Gen. 
Ross was killed. Their story was scarcely cred- 
ited, but in the morning, just at day-break, the 
body of Gen. Eoss was brought up, when uni- 
versal consternation prevailed. The works on 
the island were soon after abandoned, and the 
Union forces took possession. 

In this connection may be introduced a letter 
from Gen. Bragg to Gen. Withers, in command 
at Fort Pillow, not heretofore published. It 
affords another ^'inside" glimpse: 

"Jackson, Tenn., March 8, 18G2. 
" General : 

" As your position is one partially isolated from your im- 
mediate commander, Gen. Polk, and you are disconnected 
from us officially, I have thought you would be better satisfied 
to learn the hopes and views of our chief Island No. 10 
and New Madrid are pretty strong, and are being strength- 
ened, but they are not considered fully safe from both land 
and water attack. Fort Pillow is a better and much more 
defensible position. All available means are being pushed 
to your assistance. The 1st Alabama regiment, from Pensa- 
cola, and the 2d, from Mobile, will give you our best artil- 
lerists. Our heavy guns, eight and ten inch, with everything 
complete for service, are being pushed on to you, and we 
hope to hear from you soon that your position is impregna- 
ble. Should New Madrid and Island No. 10 fall, you hold 
the left flank of our army, and on its successful defence de- 
pends the Valley of the Mississippi and our cause. 

" The forces from above, when unable longer to hold out, 
will join you, and Gen. Polk can reinforce you from the 
railroad, as you are within one day's march. Gen. Beaure- 



156 WAR PICTUEES. 

gard desires you to communicate frequently and directly 
with liim. He will do all in his power to stiengtlieu and 
sustain you. You will find many officers and men in the 1st 
Alabama, Lieut. Col. Steadman, fully competent to build 
batteries, mount guns, and then fight them. My efforts are 
to be directed to the Tennessee, where we are confident the 
enemy will soon make a heavy blow. 

" Wishing you every success, 

" I am very truly yours, 

"Braxton Bragg." 

" To Brig. Gen. Withers." 

"While tlie rebel force at Island ISTo. 10 were 
feeling the consternation that followed the taking 
of New Madrid, their own prospects being in con- 
sequence so gloomy and threatening, the common 
soldiers one after the other exclaimed, "Those 
rich fellows have placed us here to be killed, 
while they are at home, away from harm and 
fear." 

It was a very true saying. Yes, reader, this 
was undoubtedly the fact, and it is as true of one 
part of the rebellious territory as another. While 
the rich aristocrats of the South remain at home, 
the poor serfs (for the lowest class of whites are 
no better than serfs) are on the battle-field ; not — 
all of them, at any rate — from choice, but be- 
cause forced by conscription and other methods 
of compulsion to enter the army. Some light 
from choice, but without sufficient intelligence to 



POOR WHITES. 157 

know what tliey are fighting for. Poor crea- 
tures ! tliey are to be pitied. Many of them are 
not only unable to read and write, but cannot tell 
the boundaries of the town in which they were 
born. Yet these miserable serfs are fighting for 
a Democratic Government ! 

Many of them, to-day, could not tell whether 
General Andrew Jackson be dead or alive. Such 
profound ignorance can scarcely be found else- 
where in the civilized world. Yet they are fight- 
ing for a "better Government;" and in doing so 
would cast off that which has given them all the 
immunities they have ever had, and accept ano- 
ther framed by the men who have always been 
their oppressors ! Little do they realize their 
real position. Fighting to create a Government, 
the chief aim of whose leaders will be to make 
them serfs, literally, to place the poor whites on a 
level with the enslaved blacks. 

"Who that has been in our army does not know 
that the poor whites of the South are already 
thought but little, if any, better than the slaves ! 
They are -poor — wretchedly poor — and because 
of their poverty they are despised. Yet they are 
fighting for the establishment of a Government 
which is chiefly designed to perpetuate this state 



158 WAR PICTURES. 

of tilings, to crush still more the poor, and exalt 
still more the rich. It is to reproduce on this 
Continent the worst forms of European misrule, 
and make the South like those oppressed nations 
whose population is fleeing from evils long en- 
dured but now past endurance, by tens of thou- 
sands every year. One is at a loss to say whi-ch 
is most to be wondered at, the unprincipled 
policy of the rebel leaders, or the credulity of 
their dupes. 



CHAPTER YIII. 

WESTERN BATTLES — FORT HENRY, FORT DON- 

ELSON. 

Expedition under Gen. Grant — Approach to Fort Henry — The 
Gunboats Bombard and Take it — March to Fort Donelson — Posi- 
tion of the Enemy's "Works — Commencement of the Battle — 
Brave Attack, but Desperate Resistance — A Night of Suffering — 
Second Day's Fight — New Disposition of Troops — A Fierce 
Struggle on the Third Day — The Right "Wing Driven Back, but 
ultimately Victorious — Splendid Charge on the Left — Surrender 
of the Fort — Incidents. 

A310NG the most important events of the war 
— important especially for the results that fol- 
lowed — was the capture of Fort Henry, followed 
by that of Fort Donelson. These forts, located 
respectively on the Tennessee and the Cumber- 
land rivers, were among those strong outposts of 
rebellion in Tennessee and Kentucky, the defence 
of which was by the rebels justly esteemed high- 
ly material to their cause. They commanded, 
also, those two great rivers which have since 

formed such a most useful medium of communi- 

(159) 



160 WAR PICTUKES. 

cation between our armies in Tennessee and 
Mississippi, and their sources of supply in the 
JN'orthwest. The fall of Fort Donelson, besides, 
gave us Nashville, and in fact broke forever the 
strong line of defence which the rebels had 
stretched along their northern frontier. 

Early in February, 1862, the command of Gen. 
Grant, embracing the troops at Cairo, Bird's 
Point and Paducah, were ordered to strike tents, 
and proceed on board transports for Fort Henry. 
These transports were convoyed by four iron -clad 
gunboats, under command of Commodore Foote. 
The weather was very stormy, with snow and 
hail. On arriving within about five or six miles 
of Fort Henry, the troops landed, with a view to 
make an attack in the rear, while the gunboats 
attacked in front. There was a large force of 
infantry on the opposite shore,* under command 
ot Gens. C. F. Smith and Lew. Wallace. The 
roads were found in such a state that it was 
almost impossible for troops to move at all, the 
artillery and the quartermasters' wagons being 
stuck in the mud. The work of reducing the fort 
in consequence fell almost exclusively to Commo- 
dore Foote. 

That gallant officer advanced upon the enemy 



CAPTURE OF P'ORT HENRY. 161 

and about noon of the 6tli commenced the attack. 
The gunboats sailed up four abreast, the river 
being so high that they were on a level with the 
fort. The battle raged with much fury. The 
gunboat Essex was struck by a shot which burst 
the boiler, killing seven and badly wounding and 
scalding about thirty. After a fight of one hour 
and ten minutes. Gen. Tilghman, in command at 
the fort, raised the white flag, and the works were 
surrendered. 

The land forces, although unable to co-operate, 
were only two miles distant. Had the high stage 
of the water and the condition of the roads 
allowed them to reach, as was intended, the rear 
of the fort, the victory would have been much 
more decisive. Four thousand rebels, who in 
that case must have been captured, escaped to 
Fort Donelson. Next morning Gen. Grant ar- 
rived, when Com. Foote turned over the fort to 
him. Gen. Tilghman and sixty of his officers 
and men were taken prisoners and sent to Padu- 
cah. A large number of rebels were killed 
during the battle, and many others during their 
retreat to Fort Donelson, detachments from our 
land force having been sent in pursuit. The fort 
mounted sixteen guns. These were captured, 



162 WAR PICTURES. 

besides a large amount of small arms, ammuni- 
tion, clothing and commissary stores. Our forces 
remained at Fort Henry about one week, and 
then marched across the country to Fort Donel- 
son, Commodore Foote returning with his fleet 
and ascending the Tennessee to the same point. 
The guns captured were all dismounted and sent 
to Cairo.' 

The two pilots of the Essex were scalded to 
death in the pilot-house, having no means of 
escape. Our troops buried their dead under the 
Stars and Stripes, in ground over which but a 
little before the rebel flag had waved. It was a 
glorious victory for our army, as it opened the 
road to Fort Donelson, Clarksville and Nashville. 
It cheered the soldiers, who felt it to be the 
beginning of great achievements, and gave fresh 
joy and hope to the loyal people of the ISTorth. 

The capture of Fort Donelson was a much 
more difficult and more important undertaking. 
The battle, which from first to last covered the 
time between the 13th and 15th of February, 
inclusive, was by far the most bloody and desper- 
ate of the campaign, up to that time. The efiect 
of the victory in the North was immense. As 
one correspondent says : " Such had been the in- 



MARCH ON DONELSON. 163 

activity of out army, and so thoroughly had our 
patience been turned into sullen desperation, that 
when the news came of the surrender of the fort, 
the revulsion of feeling was overwhelming, and 
passions long pent up burst forth in volcanic 
force of joy, thanksgiving and congratulations ; 
flags, bells, cannon, rockets, bonfires, illumina- 
tions, shouting, vainly striving to give expres- 
sion" to the feelings of the people everywhere 
throughout the West. 

The Federal army, commanded by Gen. Grant, 
left Fort Henry early on the morning of Febru- 
ary 12th. The roads were still bad, especially for 
heavy artillery. Still the march of twelve miles 
from the one fort to the other, was accomplished 
with due celerity, and at evening our forces slept 
upon their arms within sight of the enemy's 
works. These occupied a thickly timbered ridge 
overlooking the Tennessee. During the night 
following the arrival of our troops the rebels kept 
themselves busily at work strengthening their 
fortifications. Rifle-pits had previously been pre- 
pared on an extensive scale, and abattis of felled 
timber. The approaches were thus made ex- 
ceedingly difiicult and dangerous. 

Early on Thursday morning, the ISth, the bat- 



164 WAE PICTURES. 

tie commenced on the right of Gen. McClernand's 
Division, the enemy opening fire with his artil- 
lery, from the inside redoubt. We follow, here, 
the official report of Gen. W. H. L. Wallace. 
Soon after the battle commenced, Gen. Wallace, 
by order of Gen. McClernand, marched the 11th, 
20th and 25th Illinois regiments, and Taylor's 
Battery supported by the 48th Illinois, on the 
ridge west of the valley, ordering Col. Dickey's 
cavalry to move in the rear, with detachments 
thrown to the right to reconnoiter towards the 
river and the small town of Dan, lying near on 
the south. Reaching the high grounds east of 
the valley, Taylor's Battery was put in position 
on the road leading to Dan, where the left of 
the enemy's lines rested behind entrenchments, 
strengthened by strong abattis in the front. 
The whole force continued to move steadily 
towards the right. Col. Ogelsby's brigade head- 
ing the artillery of his brigade and Taylor's 
Battery on the road. Along this road the artil- 
lery atlvanced, taking successive positions to the 
right, and keeping up a constant cannonade on 
the enemy's works on the right, and in the mid- 
dle redoubt across the valley. " The open space 
furnished a fine opportunity for artillery practice 



BATTLE AT DONELSON. 165 

at long range, and the fire of Taylor's, Schwartz's 
and Dresser's batteries, warmly returned by those 
of the enemy in the middle redoubt and the 
works on his left, presented a rare example of 
the use of that arm of the service." 
' About noon. Gen. "Wallace was ordered by 
', Gen. McClernand to detach the 48th regiment to 
I operate with the 17th Illinois of the third brigade 
] in making an assault on the middle redoubt, on 
I the hill west of the valley, supported by the lire 
I of McAllister's guns. Gen. Wallace, command- 
j ing the Second Brigade, speaks in the high- 
I est praise of the manner in which both officers 
I and men acquitted themselves on that occasion. 
I " Forming in line, they advanced in good order 
across the intervening ravines, and mounted the 
steep height upon which the rebel w^orks were 
situated in the most gallant manner, and under a 
heavy fire of musketry from the enemy, posted 
in the line of earth-works. They advanced up 
the hill, delivering their fire w^ith coolness and 
precision." 

The line not being long enough to envelop the 
works, by order of Gen. McClernand Gen. Wal- 
lace detached the 45th Illinois to support them 
on the right. *' This regiment advanced in be^u- 



166 WAR PICTURES. 

tifal order down the slope, across the valley, and 
up the opposite steep, with skirmishers deployed 
in front, and were soon warmly engaged. These 
operations had given the enemy time to reinforce 
their position with strong bodies of infantry from 
the reserves in the rear, and with field artillery, 
which opened a destructive fire on the advancing 
line." 

About this time brisk skirmishing was going 
on along the whole line of the right wing, and all 
the regiments thus engaged sufiered considerably, 
both in wounded and killed. It now became 
evident that a foe of such strength, concealed 
behind immense fortifications, to the construction 
of which they had given both time, labor and 
skill, were not to be easil}^ subdued. That a vic- 
tory must be bought at a heavy cost of the lives 
of brave men was plain ; yet no man quailed, or 
dreamed of anything else but ultimate success. 
" Conquer them we shall, at whatever cost," was 
the unanimous sentiment. 

Gen. "Wallace goes on to say, in his report, 
that as the enemy began to show strength in his 
entrenchments in front of Col. Oglesby's Brigade, 
Schwartz's Battery was advanced to within about 
three hundred yards of the rebel works, but being . 



BATTLE AT DONELSON. 167 

without cannister range they were withdrawn. 
Ej Gen. McClernand's order he directed Capt. 
Taylor to throw forward two sections of his bat- 
tery to that position. This position being beyond 
Gen. Wallace's lines, the infantry support was 
from Col. Oglesby's Brigade, which was immedi- 
ately in the rear. These sections took their posi- 
tions under the most difficult and hazardous 
circumstances. The enemy's fire was most gal- 
ling, and the ground covered with brush. While 
getting into position the men in charge of the 
guns necessarily suifered heavily. 

The 13th, on the whole, was an unpropitious 
day to our cause. Our loss was severe, both in 
killed and wounded, including many officers. 
Col. Morrison, of the 4:9th Illinois, was severely 
wounded. The reader doubtless calls to mind as 
he follows these details, the sensations which a 
report of this day's battle produced throughout 
the I^orthwest, esj^ecially amongst those who had 
fathers, brothers and sons in the engagement. 
All were wild with excitement. News of the 
j most unfavorable character came over the wires. 
There was evidently reason at that moment for 
gloomy apprehensions. At length night came 
on, and with its approach a rain set in accompan 



108 WAR PICTURES. 

iod by sleet and snow. The soldiers, being 
compelled to be out, without tents, without fires, 
and without blankets in many instances, all 
suffered severely from the cold. Some were 
frozen. We have one such now in mind who is 
probably in consequence a cripple for life. That 
night our Donelson heroes will long remember. 

All were anxious for morning ; not only for 
the relief it might bring, but also the opportunity 
to renew the battle and avenge the blood of their 
comrades. At length the long looked-for day 
came, and with it the renewal of hostilities. 
During the previous evening, the enemy had 
been strongly reinforced with additional troops, . 
giving to the army a freshness and vigor which 
enabled them to resume the contest and hold at 
bay for a time the strong Union force. They 
had also been busy during the night, erecting 
new works for defence, in commanding positions, 
and mounting guns upon them. 

Our own army was also reinforced, on Friday 
morning, by the arrival of a fleet of gunboats. 
The Louisville and the Bt. Louis, Commodore 
Foote in command, opened at once on the water 
batteries with which the river side of the fort 
was defended. They made, as a correspondent 



BATTLE AT DONELSON. 169 

expresses it, "one of the most gallant assaults, 
which was met by the rebels with great spirit." 
The Louisville received sixty-one shots, six balls 
passing into the pilot house, killing the pilot and 
wounding another man, and then glancing below 
struck with great force a lot of hammocks which 
the men had taken the precaution to place on the 
boiler to protect it. This forethought, no doubt, 
prevented a severe casualty, in the loss of life. 
The St Louis received sixty-four shots. Four 
men were killed on her, and many badl}^ wound- 
ed. Commodore Foote was hit in the foot, a 
wound slight at first but very troublesome after- 
wards. The boats did not succeed in silencing 
the water batteries, although by creating a diver- 
sion they materially aided the more effective land 
operations. 

Throughout Friday, brisk skirmisliing was 
going on along the whole lines, especially on the 
right and center, " consisting chiefly of musketry, 
varied by occasional discharges of artillery." 
The shot and shell of the enemy fell thickly 
around, although with less damage to the Union 
troops than might have been looked for. During 
Uie day, the different connnanders were busy 

arjsanging for a battle on a more extensive scale. 

8 



170 WAR PICTURES. 

It had become evident that the struggle must be 
a desperate one, with the best possible use of all 
the force at command. 

The evening of the 14th was quiet, with occa- 
sional interruptions from the enemy's guns. 
Strong pickets were kept out, while the men who 
had borne the brunt of the fight thus far had an 
opportunity to get what rest might be practicable 
on their beds of ice and snow. The report of 
Gen. Wallace gives the details of the new ar- 
rangement of the troops, so far as his own 
brigade was concerned. McAllister's Battery 
was ordered from the other side of the valley, 
and put in position on the road. During the 
lith, this Brigade " occupied a position a little in 
the rear of the road and under cover of the hill ; 
the right resting on the left of Col. Ogles by 's 
line, and being within three or four hundred 
yards of the salient angle of the enemy's works 
on his left." In this position they lay most of 
the day, the order of the regiments from right to 
left being as follows : 11th, 20th, 48th, 49th, and 
17th Illinois. Taylor's Battery was placed at 
intervals between the 17th and 49th. McAllis- 
ter's guns were distributed along the front. 
Dickey's Cavalry were in the rear and on the 



BATTLE AT DONELSON. 171 

right, to observe the enemy and guard the flank. 
Gen. McClernand ordered the construction of a 
small earth-work, to cover some of the guns, 
which was completed on the night of the 14:th. 
Two of McAllister's guns, and a ten-pound rifle 
of the 1st Missouri artillery were placed within it 
next morning. 

The Third Division, Gen. L. "Wallace com- 
manding, had its position in the center of the 
line of attack ; Gen. McClernand being on the 
right, and Gen. C. F. Smith on the left. Satur- 
day morning, loth, the battle was renewed, 
opening on the right of the whole line, embracing 
the middle section where was stationed the 
Second Brigade. It raged hot and fierce until 
about eight o'clock. A messenger then came to 
Gen. L. Wallace from Gen. McClernand, stating 
that the enemy had turned his right flank, and 
was endangering his whole command. Upon 
this. Col. Cruft was immediately ordered to move 
his brigade to his support. They started at 
once, but through a mistake of the guide were 
led to the extreme right of the enemy's engaged 
lines, who rained down upon them a most deadly 
storm of leaden hail. Finally this gallant bri- 
gade was obliged to withdraw, which they did 



172 WAR PICTURES. 

under a hot fire, " and whilst the men were fight- 
ing as bravely and gallantly as men ever fought." 
The battle meanwhile w.is raging furiously 
along the line, the enemy exhibiting more 
strength and determination than ever, "not 
flinching in the least from the leaden storm 
which raked the bushes, and ploughed the 
ground around them." At this juncture, reports 
came from stragglers who had left the extreme 
right that we were badly cut to pieces there. 
The efiect was disheartening and threatened dis- 
aster. Col. Thayer was ordered to move his 
brigade to the support of Gen. McClernand. 
This officer states that, passing along the central 
road leading to the breastworks, they met the 
columns of Gen. McClernand retreating, led by 
their brigade commanders, Cols. Oglesby, Marsh, 
"Wallace and McArthur ; all calling for ammuni- 
tion, the want of which was the cause of their 
misfortune. Col. Thayer moved his brigade at 
double quick time, and was soon between the 
forces of Gen. McClernand and the enemy, who 
were approaching. Having formed in line of 
battle, with Col. Cruft's brigade on the right, to 
prevent the enemy flanking us in the direction of 
the river, he awaited their coming. The enemy 



BATTLE AT DONELSON". 173 

came up to the center of the line, with the inten- 
tion of forcing his way through to nnite with 
those who were expected to ont-flank Col. Cruft. 
In both these attempts he was foiled, and in turn 
compelled to retreat. 

While this was going on, Gen. L. "Wallace's 
brigade was suffering severely. The right of the 
line was giving way. Gen. Wallace having re- 
ceived orders to hold his position at all hazards, 
dispatched a message to Gen. McClernand giving 
an account of affairs, and expressing the fear that 
his right flank would be completely turned un- 
less reinforcements should be immediately sent. 
Finding that none came, and that his troops were 
exhausting their ammunition, he gave orders to 
move the whole brigade to the rear up the road, 
with a view to form a new line of battle. Be- 
fore the order was given, all the troops on the 
right of the brigade fell back except the 31st Illi- 
nois, which occupied the left of Col. Oglesby's 
brigade. Immediately adjoining the 31st was the 
11th Illinois. When the order to retreat was 
given, it failed to reach Lieut. Col. Kansom, in 
command of the latter regiment, who was gal- 
lantly supporting the 31st against a fierce on- 
slaught on the right. A messenger was then sent 



174 WAE PICTUEES. 

by Gen. "Wallace to Col. Eansom, to move his 
regiment by the left flank; but the messenger 
was shot in the field, and the message never 
reached its destination. For half an hour after 
the 11th stood under a murderous cross-fire from 
the front and rear of the right flank, that thinned 
its ranks dreadfully ; " the whistling and singing 
rebel bullets falling like a storm of hail about 
them." 

The left flank of the 11th was now turned by 
rebel cavalry, and Col. Eansom, seeing his men 
surrounded on three sides by the enemy and fall- 
ing like grain before the sickle, while he himsek 
was wounded in the shoulder, gave the order to 
fall back, which the regiment reluctantly obeyed. 
Slowly and in good order they retired, until they 
reached the abattis, where they had to crawl on 
their hands and knees over and under the fallen 
timber, cutting their way through the rebel caval- 
ry. The losses of this regiment, according to the 
official report, were 68 killed, 188 wounded, Y9 
missing; whole number, 335. Some companies 
lost every commissioned officer. Every ordely 
sergeant was either killed or wounded. An offi- 
cer ^who participated in this desperate struggle 
and was wounded, remarked " that the scene beg- 



BATTLE AT DONELSON. ' 175 

gared all description, and must be beyond tlie 
conception of those who were not present." He 
further says [that he " scarcely exaggerates when 
he declares that so thickly was the battle-field 
strewn with the dead and wounded, that he could 
have traversed it, taking about every step upon a 
prostrate body." 

" About three o'clock, P. M., Gen. Grant rode 
up the hill and ordered another advance on the 
left of the enemy's line, while Gen. Smith should 
attack the right. At Gen. McClernand's request, 
Gen. Wallace undertook the former. On exam- 
ining the ground and selecting the position to be 
carried, he found it to be the very ground lost in 
the morning. He quickly arranged the column 
of attack. At the head were placed the 8th Mis- 
Bouri, Col. M. L. Smith, and the 11th Indiana, 
Col. Geo. McGinnis ; the two regiments forming 
a brigade under Col. Smith. Col. Cruft's brigade 
completed the column. As a support, two Ohio 
regiments, under Col. Ross, moved up and were 
advanced on the left flank of the assailing force, 
but held in reserve." Meantime a plan was also 
matured for attacking the enemy's lines on the 
left, of which we shall speak soon. 

Gen. Wallace remarks in his report, that " be- 



176 WAR PICTURES. 

ing aware of the desperate character of the enter- 
prise, I formed the regiments as they moved on, 
and they answered with cheers and cries of ' For- 
ward ! Forward ! ' and I gave the word. My 
directions as to the mode of attack were general, 
merely to form columns of regiments, march up 
the hill which was the point of assault, and de- 
ploy as occasion should require. Col. Smith 
observed the form, attacking with the 8th Mis- 
souri in front. It is at least three hundred steps 
from the base to the top of the hill. The ascent 
is much broken by out-cropping ledges of rock, 
and for the most part impeded by dense under- 
brush. Smith's place of attack was clear but 
rough and stony. Cruft's was through trees and 
brush. The enemy's lines were distinctly visible 
on the hill-side. Evidently they were ready. 

"Col. Smith began the fight without waiting for 
the First Brigade. A line of skirmishers from 
the 8th Missouri sprang out and dashed up, ta- 
king intervals as they went, until they covered 
the head of the column. A lively fire opened on 
them from the rebel pickets, who retired, obsti- 
nately contesting the ground. In several instan- 
ces, assailant and assailed sought cover behind 
the same tree. About quarter the way up, they 



BATTLE AT DONELSON. 177 

received the first volley from the hill-top ; around 
it ran a long line of fire, disclosing sonaewhat of 
the strength of the enemy. Instantly, under 
orders of Col. Smith, both his regiments lay 
down. The skirmishers were the chief victims. 
Geo. B. Swarthout, captain of Co. H, 8th Mis- 
souri, was killed, gallantly fighting far in the 
the advance. Meantime their own firing was 
constant and deadly. 

"Col. Cruft's line was now marching up in 
support, and to the right of Col. Smith. The 
woods through which he moved seemed literally 
to crackle, with musketry. Finally, the 8th and 
11th cleared the hill, driving the rebel regiments 
at least three quarters of a mile before them, and 
halting within one hundred and fifty yards of the 
entrenchments, behind which the enemy took 
refuge." In the General's report, he speaks in 
the highest terms of both oflScers and men, for 
their gallantry in this contest. " Company offi- 
cers all won honors and lasting praise. Nor can 
less be given to the valor and endurance of the 
men who composed their regiments." 

While these events were transpiring another 

victory was won on the left. The work of 

storming the enemy's camp in that quarter had 

8* 



178 WAR PICTURES. 

been assigned to Col. Tuttle, — now Brigadier 
General Commanding, at Cairo, — who was right 
willing to undertake it. He called his men into 
line of battle, and advancing with his left wing 
led his three hundred "Hawkeyes" upon the 
rebel bastions, behind which were grouped many 
thousands of the enemy. Waving his hat as a 
signal of cheer to his men and of defiance to the 
enemy he rushed forward with his brave follow- 
ers, under a shower of bullets, across the inter- 
vening ravine and through the abattis, then 
surmounting the works plunged into the midst of 
the rebels in their very camp, driving all who 
opposed at the point of the bayonet. Such a 
cheer then went up as is seldom heard. This 
exploit placed Col. Tuttle and his regiment, the 
2d Iowa, among the heroes of the war. 

As no other regiments came to its assistance 
the successful detachment was ordered to fall 
back to the breastworks, which it did in good 
order. The guns mounted on the works were 
seized and turned, with signal effect, upon the 
enemy. The struggle was brief, but its results 
were important. A lodgment had been gained 
within the rebel entrenchments; the success of 
the enterprise proving wliat the Union soldiers 



BATTLE AT DONELSON. 179 

could dare and could do. The rebel Generals 
did not think proper to test the question further. 
Gen. Pillow, during the night, abandoned the 
works, with four or five thousand men, and on 
the following morning Gen. Buckner sent to Gen. 
Grant a proposal for a suspension of arms. We 
copy the correspondence : 

" Owing to the situation of affairs at this station, I propose 
to the commanding officer of the Federal forces the appoint- 
ment of commissioners to agree upon terms of capitulation 
of the forces and post under my command, and in that view 
suggest an armistice until 12 o'clock to-day. 
" Very Respectfully, 
" S. B. Buckner, Brig. Gen. Com. C. S. A. 
" To Brig. Gen. U. S. Grant, commanding 
the U. S. forces near Fort Donelson." 

" Head Quarters in the Field, ) 
Fort Don^son, Feb. 16, '62. ) 
"Gen. S. B. Buckner, C. S. A. 
"Dear Sir: 

"Yours of this date, proposing an armistice and 
appointment of commissioners, to settle terms of capitula- 
tion, is just received. No terms except unconditional sur- 
render can be accepted. I propose to move immediately on 

your works. 

" I am, sir, very respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 

" U. S. Grant, Brig. Gen. Commandmg." 

Buckner's reply was as follows : 

"To Brig. Gen. U. S. Grant, U. S. A. 
"Sir: . 

" The distribution of the forces under my command, 



180 WAR PICTURES. 

incident to an unexpected change of commanders, compels 
me, notwithstanding the brilliant success of the Confederate 
arms yesterday, to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous 
terms which you propose. 

. " I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

" S. B. BucKNER, Brig. Gen. C. S. A." 

Thus ended one of the severest and best con- 
tested battles ever fought on the American Con- 
tinent. It has been impossible, as it must always 
be in such cases, to give anything like an ade- 
quate description of it. " How desperately our 
men fought, how terribly they suffered, can never 
be fully known. They fell in heaps, dead and 
wounded. Companies were bereft of their Cap- 
tains and Lieutenants, and Captains were almost 
bereft of companies." "We regret that our limit- 
ed space will not allow a more particular account 
of the part borne in the struggle by the several 
regiments respectively. Most of them acted 
most gallantly. Officers were distinguished 
throughout by their deeds of noble daring ; ma- 
ny of them received promotions for the bravery 
and skill manifested in the field. Cols. Oglesby, 
Marsh and Logan, when they saw their lines 
breaking and their regiments falling back, rode 
along the ranks waving their hats and cheering 
their men to the conflict. " Suffer death," cried 



INCIDENTS. 181 

Logan, " but disgrace never ! Stand firm, yield 
not an incli ! " 

The same may be said of the privates. They 
fought li^e tigers. Never was greater courage 
displayed than during this series of battles. It 
should be remembered under what disadvantages 
the attack was made ; strong earthworks, in a 
position selected for its remarkable adaptation to 
purposes of military defence, with the approaches 
made almost insuperably difdcult by abattis of 
felled trees and by rifle-pits, the whole manned 
by from ten to fifteen thousand determined rebels 
animated by every passion that could spur men 
on to fight, and amply supplied with every kind 
of warlike instruments — it was a gigantic under- 
taking, executed in a manner that has covered 
the soldiers of the Western army with glory. 

Some of the subordinate facts and incidents 
connected with this battle may be here noticed. 
One correspondent remarked, " The Sabbath was 
a glorious day of rest to our army. Tliey could 
then well understand the philosophy as well as 
the inspired wisdom and meaning of those words: 
'The Sabbath was made for man, and not man 
for the Sabbath.' " " I noticed," says the same 
correspondent, after he had visited the field, " in 



182 WAR PICTURES. 

some cases tlie last life-expression of the counte- 
nance, and position of the body, stereotyped by 
the death blow. One soldier, evidently just 
ready to cap his gun, still held the cap firmly 
between his thumb and forefinger. Another, an 
officer, held his sword-hand aloft and clenched 
(the sword had been stolen from the dead man) 
as if cheering and leading his men in the death 
charge. The expression of one, in death, seemed, 
though silent, eloquently to say, 'We have con- 
quered — the day is ours.' Another received his 
death wound in his left breast, and directly 
through the photograph likeness of some beloved 
one. A Christian soldier (a captain in the 8th 
Illinois) while waiting his turn to have his 
wound dressed — a fatal one the surgeon said — 
was perlectly calm and quite resigned. While 
the writer was sitting by his side, he commenced 
that simple Christian melody, ' There is a happy 
land,' etc., and under the circumstances gave it a 
sublime rendering." 

In the American Messenger for January, 1863, 
is an interesting sketch, headed, "A Fort Donel- 
son Hero," which may be apj)ropriately trans- 
ferred to these pages. There is more than one 
beautiful lesson in it : 



INCIDENTS. 188 

"Among the Union troops in the battle of 
Donelson was an Illinois soldier who was remark- 
able for his boldness and wickedness in camp. 
For years previous to enlisting he had been a 
ring-leader in drinking, gambling and almost 
every other vice. Removed from restraints in 
the army, he often shocked his comrades by his 
wickedness and profanity. In the battle on that 
sad morning in February last, he distinguished 
himself by courage and daring. In one of the 
charges of the enemy he received a terrible 
wound from a minie ball, in the thigh. As he 
lay bleeding on the battle field, his life-blood 
mingling with the snow, he thought of death and 
eternity. His sins arose before him like a moun- 
tain, and filled him with dismay. He was 
removed to a hospital in a Western city, where 
everything which kindness and medical skill 
could suggest, was done for his relief. There lie 
lay on his cot, suffering intense pain for long, 
weary weeks. He was visited by Christian ladies 
and ministers, who sought to lead him to the 
fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, and 
their labors were not in vain in the Lord. The 
heart which for years had been stout against God 
began to relent. Penitence, that sweetest emo- 



184: WAR PICTURES. 

tion of the mind, was often seen in liis eyes and 
heard in his voice. 

" One Sabbath afternoon, while the writer was 
in the room, he requested some ladies present to 
join him in singing 

* There is a fountain filled with blood,* etc. 

The wounded soldier seemed to drink in the 
spirit of that hymn. After reading a few verses 
concerning the dying thief, earnest prayer was 
offered for his soul. While all were kneeling 
before the Lord, he was pleased to hear and 
answer. The afflicted man burst into tears and 
sobbed aloud, ' O Lord, have mercy !« Jesus, 
save a guilty sinner !' He continued weeping 
and praying for some time. Then the friends 
sang that precious hymn, 

* Just as I am, without one plea, 
But that thy blood was shed for me.* 

There was not one dry eye in the room, all wept 

and sung together, 

" As the writer took the soldier's hand in his 

he said, ' Now, M , will you not give yourselt 

to Christ, just as you are V 

" He said with tears, ' I will ! I will !' 

" His whole soul was filled with a sense of his 

guiltiness and of Christ's mercy. As the friends 

who witnessed this affecting scene left him, they 



INCIDENTS. 185 

expressed a hope that he would soon find pardon 
and peace in believing. They were not disap- 
pointed. He laid hold on Christ, touched the 
hem of his garment, and was made clean. He 
gave himself to Christ, and found, what every 
soul finds that receives Christ, peace in believing. 
He continued in tliis happy frame of mind until 
four months after he received the wound, when 
he slept in Jesus. Though his sufierings were 
severe, he bore them with resignation, and was 
comforted in looking unto Jesus. He often 
expressed wonder that God should have spared 
his life amidst all his wickedness. ' Is not this a 
brand plucked out of the fire ?' " 

The following stirring lines by Kev. W. C. 
Richards, now of Boston, well express the sensa- 
tions felt throughout the North, as news from 
Donelson field flew over the wires : 

There are glad hearts and sad hearts 

By millions to-day ; 
As over the wires the magical fires 

Are flashing the tidings of Donelson's fray. 
Hearts swelling with rapture 

For Donelson's capture ; 
Hearts breaking with aching 

For Donelson's slain. 
Oh ! whether the glory 
Of Cumberland's story 
Or grief for the slaughter 



186 WAK PICTURES. 

That purpled the water 

In our bosoms should reign— 
We leave in its doubt, 
And join in the shout, 
The tumultuous hosanna 
That greets our dear banner 

From Donelson's ramparts in triumph flung out. 

Some to-morrow, for sorrow, 

Let Donelson claim 1 
When over the dead the dirges are said ; 

But to-day shall be vocal with victory's fame. 
Hearts throbbing with rapture 

For Donelson's capture ; 
Forgetting that blood, like a flood, 

In its storming was shed. 
Oh ! matcliless the glory 
Of Cumberland's story, 
By our cannon rehearsed ; 
By our bards to be versed, 

When Rebellion is dead ! 
For joy-bells and chorus, 
The passion comes o'er us, 
To ring and to sing 
For tidings that bring 

The downfall of Treason in vision before us. 



CHAPTEE IX. 

WESTERN BATTLES — lUKA, CORINTH, ARKAN- 
SAS POST. 

The Enemy Propose to Recover Lost Ground — Battle of luka — Re- 
sults of Victory not Secured — Price Reinforced by Van Dorn and 
Lovell — The Enemy March on Corinth — Preparation to Receive 
them — The Attack Begins — Our own Troops Driven Within the 
Works — Results of First Day's Fighting — Moving of Troops Du- 
ring the Night — The Works Stormed and Entered — A Vigorous 
Rally and a Victory — Incidents — The Vicksburg Disaster — Ex- 
pedition to Arkansas Post — Preliminary Cannonade by Gun Boats 
— General Attack on the Day Following — Trophies and Prison- 
ers, 

Corinth, as already intimated, is famous as the 
base of operations of the Army of the Missis- 
sippi during the summer and autumn of '62, 
and on account of the great battle fought there. 
In the spring of the year just named, immediate- 
ly after the battle at Pittsburg, and while the 
two armies were in such close proximity at this 
point, the eyes of the whole civilized world were 
turned towards it, watching the developments 

on which depended such important results. At 

(187) 



188 WAR PICTURES. 

length, as before related, the rebel army with- 
drew, choosiug for their new base of operations 
another point still further South ; doubtless with 
the design of drawing our army down into those 
parts where the diseases incident to that climate 
would fight for them better than cannon, or mus- 
ketry. During this time the Union force held 
the town, making such improvements as their 
leaders considered necessary for the benefit of 
the army and the defence of the place. "With 
the amount of strength there concentrated, the 
town was considered safe against any attack 
which might be attempted by the rebels. 

In the early part of autumn, it became evident 
that large forces of the enemy were in the neigh- 
borhood, and that an efiort to recover possession 
of Corinth was about to be made. Gen. Grant, 
accordingly, arranged measures for intercepting 
the enemy and deranging his plans. A chief 
point then held by the rebels was luka, a little 
town about twenty miles South-East of Corinth. 
They numbered some 20,000, under command of 
"that fox," Gen. Price. A force under Gen. 
Rosecrans attacked them, and after a close fight 
effectually defeated them. Between two and 
three hundred of the rebels were killed, besides 



BATTLE OF CORESTH. 189 

a large number left wounded on tlie field, and 
others taken prisoners. Had Gen. Grant co -op- 
erated with Rosecrans, as was expected, the rebel 
army might have been *' bagged," and Corinth 
been saved from any further trouble from that 
source. Some of these things, now so inexplica- 
ble, will doubtless be explained hereafter, and 
censures will then rest where they belong. 

After the battle of luka, the rebels were rein- 
forced by the troops of Yan Dorn, from Arkan- 
sas, and Lovell from New Orleans. They were, 
thus, very soon in condition for a renewal of act- 
ive hostilities. On the 1st of October Gen. 
Rosecrans, then in command at Corinth, ascer- 
tained that Price's army was approaching, and 
preparation was at once made to give it a warm 
reception. A strong picket force was sent out, 
while the Sixth Division (Gen. Mc Arthur's) 
was directed to engage the enemy, and if possi- 
ble draw them into our lines, where our immense 
artillery could play upon them. The attack of 
the enemy, it is admitted, was well-planned and 
bravely sustained. If the defense had not been 
equally skillful and equally brave Corinth would 
surely have lallen into their hands. Indeed, 
when the disparity of force, twelve thousand 



190 WAR PICTUKES. 

Federals against thirty-five thousand Conteder- 
ates, is taken into the account, it must be con- 
ceded that the palm of generalship and of bravery 
belongs to the army of the Union. 

On the morning of the 3d our pickets were 
driven in, and the Division of Gen. McArthur 
vigorously attacked. The Union men slowly 
gave way, according to their orders, and a scatter- 
ing fire continued until ten o'clock, when the en- 
emy came in sight of our center works. In this 
and the subsequent preliminary engagements the 
loss on oar side was greater than during the 
whole battle afterwards, as the fighting was done 
on our retreat, and against great odds. The 
works which the enemy now found themselves 
facing were those which they themselves had con- 
structed a few months before, for their own pro- 
tection. They had now to attack and take them 
by storm. 

By this time, the Second Division, under com- 
mand of Gen. Davis, was at hand, and ready to 
receive the advancing rebels at the point of the 
bayonet. It was supported by a battery. The 
enemy soon came on in overwhelming force, rout- 
ing the Union troops and capturing two pieces of 
our artillery. Our forces withdi-ew a short dis- 



BATTLE OF COELNTH. 191 

tance, and forming another line of battle awaited 
once more the approach of the foe. Soon they 
came up and again our men were driven back. 
In this manner every inch of ground was con- 
tested until about four in the afternoon, when the 
enemy came within range of our batteries. Fort 
Hobinette and a battery of light artillery sta- 
tioned near opened on them with good effect and 
forced them back into the woods. The day being 
now so far spent, they did not renew the attack 
that evening. 

The enemy had marched ten miles on the 
morning of that day, and it speaks much for their 
power of endurance that they fought so well in 
the heat after so long a march. Doubtless the 
retreat of our forces ( which was designed by our 
superior officers for the purpose of drawing the 
rebels within range of the artillery) stimulated 
them onward. They had left all behind, even 
food and blankets, in their hurried march, and 
were expecting to draw their next supplies from 
our Commissary stores in Corinth. They had 
come through cornfields, and many of the men 
liad put some raw corn in their haversacks, and 
when killed this was all the food found on them, 
a circumstance which led army correspondents to 



192 WAR PICTURES. 

conclude that they were in a starving condition. 
They had, in fact, plenty of provisions, but it was 
not within their reach at the time when most 
needed; — just as it was with our men, at Fort 
Donelson. During the first day's fight the right 
of the rebels was commanded by Gen. Price, the 
left by Gens. Yan Dorn and Lovell. 

The battle, as it raged at three o'clock on the 
3d, is thus described by Chaplain Thomas, of the 
52d Illinois : 

" Our force formed a line of battle on a hill 
overlooking the town of Corinth, where the great 
struggle of the day occurred. Before it came, 
a large number of our men had been sun-struck, 
and had to be carried from the field. The wound- 
ed had become numerous on both sides, and two 
from each company of the enemy had been de- 
tailed to take care of their wounded. All along 
our lines it could be seen that a determination was 
felt not to retreat another inch. The brows of 
the men and officers were knit, and their lips 
compressed with an expression of decision. 
About twenty minutes after that, they came in 
hosts up against us, and terrible volleys of mus- 
ketry were sent pelting into their very faces. 
The scene was fearful ; the enemy fell back a few 



BATTLE OF CORINTH. 193 

yards, reformed, and came up again. At this 
time they made a blunder and fired into the sec- 
ond Texas regiment. For a little time they were 
in confusion, our guns meantime playing on them 
with great slaughter. They fell on their faces 
and returned the tire, still unflinching. 

*'The battle, at this time, was fearful as can 
well be imagined. The enemy saw that the odds 
was now against them, as our artillery was post- 
ed in the best position possible, and they could 
find no good one for theirs. If they had, it 
would have availed them but little during theii' 
confusion. Besides, they were far less supplied 
with artillery, especially big guns, than we were." 
Yet it was astonishing how they used what small 
guns they had. "Jumping up from the ground, 
at length, they charged upon us splendidly, ta- 
king one gun of the 1st Missouri Battery, * Lady 
Kichardson ;' and then commenced the most sul- 
len and angry retreat ever witnessed. Gen. 
I Hackleman, a noble specimen of his race, was 
killed. Adjutant Brainard, of the 2d Illinois, 
and a host of others. Gen. Oglesby was wound- 
ed and very many besides. That was our most 
fatal hour during the two days fight. Men re- 
treated, bleeding and mad, heads drooping, and 

9 



194 WAR PICTURES. 

blood flowing from hundreds. We left noble 
men, dead and wounded, to the cruel mercies of 
the rebels. Quite a number were then and there 
taken prisoners, men who were overcome with 
heat and were unable to retreat. No man who 
joined in that last retreat of Friday, will ever for- 
get it. Many of our best officers began to think 
that before night the rebels would be in posses- 
sion of Corinth and we all prisoners. Some of 
our wounded became so excited and determined 
on further resistance, that they would make des- 
perate efforts to get away from those who were 
trying to place them in safety, that they might 
go and fight again. Slowly and sadly we retreat- 
ed towards battery Kobinette, expecting to see 
the enemy follow us up slowly." 

They did follow, no doubt, until they came in 
sight of the formidable breastworks, and saw the 
big guns, with open mouths, waiting for their ap- 
proach. This was something the rebels had not 
expected, perhaps, as they came no farther. 
Thus closed the battle on Friday. Just at night- 
fall, Stanley's Division arrived from towards Rip- 
ley, which encouraged our men greatly. The 
"Western Sharp-shooters, Idth Missouri, were on 
Provost Guard duty, and as yet had not been in 



BATTLE OF COKINTH. 195 

the fight. These, with the exception of those 
still on guard, were thrown forward, ITorth of 
the town and East of the Mobile and Ohio Kail- 
road, deployed out and ordered to advance until 
they met the enemy. Proceeding about a quar- 
ter of a mile they fell in with the enemy's pick- 
ets, and falling back a short distance they laid 
down so near that during the night they could 
distinctly hear the enemy talking. 

But the rebels were not idle. They were 
moving troops and getting ready to make an 
early and desperate assault ; supposing, from their 
success during the day, that the hardest of their 
task was done. Our troops were also busy — or 
at least the officers — in arranging for the coming 
day. Gen. Hosecrans seemed everywhere pres- 
ent during the night. The positions of regiments 
were changed, as found necessary from time to 
time to meet changes in the disposition of the en- 
emy's force. 

During the night, the rebels had placed two 
pieces of cannon in position in full sight of the 
town, and day had scarcely dawned when they 
opened fire. Our batteries soon got their range, 
and before sunrise their guns, and the Captain 
commanding them, were over. Thus their plans 



196 WAR PICTURES. 

were again frustrated. Thej now commenced 
moving their force, evidently with the intention 
of taking the town by storm. Between nine and 
ten A. M., they made a desperate charge on Fort 
E-obinette. They came across two hundred yards 
of fiallen timber facing three of our batteries, 
without wavering. Their flag fell four times, 
but never touched the ground. Some one would 
instantly grasp it and bring it up again. 

On they came, until within twenty feet of the 
Fort, when the line halted. Col. Rogers, who 
was leading the charge, noticing this grasped the 
flag and called on his men to follow him. They 
obeyed, but his words had scarcely left his lips 
when he was shot down ; a hundred bullets, it is 
said, passing through him. While this was goin^ 
on, our two regiments supporting the battery, one 
on the right and the other on the left, poured a 
galling fire into the enemy's ranks, and after a 
short but most bloody contest, routed them and 
drove them back, leaving sixty of their number 
to "■ bite the dust." Strange to say, that flag 
which had fallen four times during the charge, 
and had been planted on the fort by their own 
leader, was taken back in safety ; none of our 
men beiDg able to capture it from them. 



BATTLE OF COEINTH. 197 

Meanwhile, the enemy was preparing for a 
cliarge upon Battery Richardson, directly north 
of the town. The sharpshooters on guard during 
the night had joined their regiment, which now 
extended from the M. & O. R. R. east as far as 
it could reach. The Yates Sharpshooters had 
also been placed behind them to support them, 
while the infantry were still on the right, to 
prevent any flank movement. The enemy ad- 
vanced in solid columns, several regiments deep; 
but the sharpshooters met them gallantly, and 
poured a very destructive fire into them, which 
much impeded their progress. However, on they 
came, filling up the front ranks as fast as they fell, 
and our men were forced back before them. As 
soon as they came to the foot of the hill, they 
were in range of three batteries, Richardson, 
Robinette and Williams; but notwithstanding 
all this, they raised their accustomed yells and 
went up the hill like a storm, sweeping every- 
thing before them. 

They had scarcely reached the summit when 
they charged on Battery Richardson and drove 
every man from the works. For a moment things 
looked dark. Many said, " The town is gone ! " 
But the work of death still went on. At this 



198 WAR PICTUKES. 

critical moment Madison's battery of twenty-four 
poimders, situated on tlie south of the town, 
opened on the enemy with a terrible destruction, 
firing shell, grape and canister. Their ranks 
were becoming much thinner. Our men had 
already fallen back to Gen. Grant's old Head- 
quarters, and the rebels were rushing into the 
streets with apparently unexpected success. But 
the Union troops formed another line, farther 
back. As soon as this was done they charged on 
the enemy with irresistible force, slaying them in 
in the streets, and soon compelled them to retreat 
to the woods. Shout after shout went up from 
our men all along the lines, as the enemy ran, 
while the cannon sent balls and shells whistling 
after them through the woods. The enemy was 
routed, the victory was complete, and Corinth 
was safe. They, indeed, formed again and made 
another slight charge, ; but it was only a feint, to 
cover their retreat. About sunset several regi- 
ments arrived from Bethel to reinforce us, but 
the work was done. At one next morning, a 
detachment of troops started in pursuit of the 
retreating foe, and followed them until their 
army was completely routed and all their trains 
bu^'ned and destroyed. 



INCIDENTS. 199 

Thus was achieved one of the most signal vic- 
tories of the war. 

'No western battle had, previous to this, been 
so well managed on our side. Gen. Rosecrans, 
besides, had the entire confidence of his men. 
lie was greeted all day long, on Saturday, wher- 
ever he went, with shouts and cheers, and a 
shower of hats and caps in the air. The army 
saw that he was awake and knew what the 
enemy were doing, and that they would not sur- 
round us and take us by surprise while we had 
Rosecrans to lead us. 

It was on Sunday, Oct. 5th, that our forces 
commenced to follow up the enemy. On the 
same day the battle of the Ilatchie was fought, 
which res ilted in such great losses to the enemy. 
It was there that Gen. Ord was wounded, fight- 
ing most gallantly. On the same occasion Gen. 
Hurlbut distinguished himself as few men do. 

From C. McGoram, Assistant Surgeon of the 
7th Iowa, I have the following incidents : " On 
the evening of Oct. 5th, I arrived from Corinth 
at Camp Montgomery, three miles southwest of 
Corinth, w^here we had pitched our hospital tent 
on the morning of the 3d, in order to have our 



200 WAR PICTURES. 

sick at a suitable distance from the field of action. 
While I was dispensing medicines to the sick, 
the rebels fired on our tent, not sparing us 
although we had our hospital flag in plain view. 
Even this was no safeguard to our poor sick men, 
many of whom could not use a limb to protect 
themselves against the murderous fire. Seeing 
the state of aifairs, I became exasperated at such 
hellish and wanton cruelty. I mounted a horse, 
under a never-ceasing fire of the enemy, rallied 
the men that were left in scattering camps, ot 
whom not ope was a soldier proper, but all team- 
sters, nurses, cooks and convalescents, and turn- 
ing on the cowardly assassins killed seven ot 
them and compelled the remainder to beat a 
hasty retreat. We had only one man wounded 
in the skirmish. I hastened to Corinth, to the 
commander of the post ; but meeting Gen. Bos- 
worth on the way, a Mississippian, I think a 
gentleman, I reported to him the nature of the 
attack. He told me he had intimation of such a 
force, but as the greater part of our army were 
on that day following the fetreating forces of 
Price and Yan Dorn we had but few troops to 
spare. By command of Gen. Bosworth, I re- 
turned to camp, bringing back all the stragglers I 



INCIDENTS. 201 

could. We thus collected quite an effective 
force, which the rebels did not see fit to attack." 

Another incident from the same : " There was 
in our hospital tent a Union soldier, shot through 
the forehead ; the ball passing into the brain 
proper. This brave soldier was shot on the 3d or 
4th of October. I saw him on the 5th ; he lay 
in a comatose state. When I roused him with 
questions he answered rationally, but would 
immediately after relapse into the same condition 
as before. The most remarkable thing was that 
this man lived until the 9th, while the brain 
oozed out, drop by drop. At least one quarter of 
the brain passed off before life became extinct. 
It was an extraordinary case. I would scarcely 
have believed it, had I not seen it personally." 

Still another, of a similar kind, from the same : 
" On Sunday, Oct. 5th, a rebel, was carried off 
the battle field, and lodged in a shed hut by him- 
self On examination of him, I found the whole 
of the frontal bones carried off by a shell, from 
the margin of the nose, including the eyes, to the 
Lambdoidal Suture, together with the greater 
surface of the brain, contiguous to these parts. I 
conversed with this rebel for twenty minutes, 

and he answered all my interrogatories with as 

9* 



202 WAR PICTUKES. 

much correctness as if nothing had happened to 
him. His mind became after a time somewhat 
wandering. He would ask, ' Have we won the 
day V and similar questions. This man lived 
until the 10th." 

The rebels in these successive fights showed 
great bravery. While they were storming Fort 
Robinette, they came to the very ditch of the fort 
between the big guns. Some clambered up the 
side of the breastworks and fell in ghastly heaps ; 
others came into the forts to die there. They 
were butchered all around these forts, like mad 
dogs. The poor men who were mangled, and 
not yet dead, cursed the Generals who had led 
them on, in their dying moments, in the most 
shocking manner. TVhile retreating from Fort 
Robinette, as they saw that to stay there was 
death, Capt. Foster threw up his arm, and leaping 
from the ground with the exclamation, " My 
God!" fell dead; the upper part of his head 
being carried away by a shell, and the blood 
spouting into the air from the wound. 

One poor soldier, dying opposite Fort Richard- 
son, begged Chaplain Thomas to send word to his 
mother how he died. Another prayed him not 
to leave him till he should get into the hospital. 



INCIDENTS. 203 

Opposite Fort Richardson, Gen. Johnson was 
killed. The mangled bodies of living and dead 
before those forts should be seen, if one would 
have any adequate idea of them ; — heads carried 
off so that no trace of them could be found — so 
with limbs — others having all the flesh torn off 
the bones leaving them white and bare. 

An eyewitness describes the scene as he saw it 
a day or two after : " Col. Chetlain rode with us 
over the battle field of Corinth, and described 
the scenes ot the two days' strife. We stood 
before Fort Robinette, and beside the grave of 
that desperate rebel. Col. Rogers, where thirty-six 
of his brave followers lay in one pile within six 
feet of the ditch. We stood upon the spots 
where Gens. Ilackleman and Oglesby fell, cheer- 
ing on their troops in that deadly conflict. Over 
fifteen hundred of the enemy lie in the graves to 
which they were committed by our victorious 
troops after their surviving companions had fled 
the fleld. O, the horrible devastation of war ! 
May God speedily bring it to a righteous and 
perpetual end !" 

The battle of Corinth was the last vigorous and 
combined effort of the enemy to recover lost 
ground north of Yicksburg. Making the last- 



204: WAR PICTUEES. 

named city tlieir next stronghold, they concen- 
trated their forces there, as much as possible, 
completing the fortifications necessary to the 
defence of the place. I pass over the unfortunate 
attempt of Gen. Sherman to take that city ; nor 
do I offer any judgment upon the causes of his 
failure. Our troops were repulsed with heavy 
loss of life, and compelled to retire to the fleet. 
The vessels of the fleet being still exposed to the 
enemy's fire, without either the means of protec- 
tion, or of effectual retaliation, it was decided to 
return. In the hope of redeeming to some 
extent the ^prestige of the Union arms, an expedi- 
tion was then undertaken against Arkansas Post. 
This was a strong fort, well garrisoned, on the 
Arkansas river, some forty miles above its 
mouth. Our troops in transports were convoyed 
by Admiral Porter, with his flag-ship the Black 
Hawk^ the St. Louis^ the Louisville and the Pitts- 
hurgh^ four stern-wheel gunboats of the " Mus- 
quito Fleet," and the ram Queen of the West. A 
landing was made on Saturday, a mile below 
the fort, under cover of the gunboats but out of 
sight of the enemy's works. The shore being 
heavily timbered, at this point, our officers were 
enabled to arrange their mode of attack without 



ARKANSAS POST. 205 

interruption. The reports of scouts made it 
apparent that the rebel position was a strong one. 
Earthworks of considerable size were well de- 
fended with both men and guns. 

The disposition of the land force having been 
duly comijleted, the gunboats proceeded up the 
river^ and about three p. m. commenced the 
attack ; the troops on shore marching simultan- 
eously. A correspondent says : " A bayou inter- 
fering with our advance, a division sent out for 
the purpose discovered a way to get over it, but 
met rifle pits. These were flanked with some 
difiiculty, consuming the remainder of Saturday." 
At this time some flfty rebel prisoners had been 
taken. The 8th Missouri, being deployed as 
shirmishers, drove in the whole opposing force, 
formed in line of battle, and nearly surrounded 
the enemy. This was the work of Saturday. 

Meantime the gun-boats had been busy. They 
moved up to wi|hin a few hundred yards and 
engaged the heaviest batteries of the fort. Until 
about nine in the evening, the cannonade was 
very heavy ; eight, nine and ten inch guns being 
used on both sides. The enemy's position, on 
the high bluffs of the river was such, however, 
as to render them comparatively safe from the 



206 . WAR PICTURES. 

fire of tlie gun-boats in their first attack. Still, 
one of tlieir heaviest guns was silenced. About 
nine o'clock, the vessels dropped down beyond 
range and the firing ceased. 

At length Sunday morning came ; God's bless- 
ed Sabbath being once more to witness a scene 
of carnage and slaughter. It became evident 
soon, that the night had been employed by the 
rebels in fortifying their position, and making 
it more safe from the Federal attacks. Our land 
forces now advanced with their artillery to secure 
positions better adapted for their purpose. The 
whole of the forenoon was thus occupied in sta- 
tioning artillery and forming lines of battle while 
the enemy were no less hurriedly employed in 
throwing up earthworks. At about one o'clock 
the battle was renewed ; " the gnn-boats and riv- 
er batteries," as the correspondent relates from 
who] A we quote, "fighting an earnest duel. For 
three and a half hours, the duel continued. On 
each side every nerve was strained for victory. 
The casemates of the fort were made of solid 
timber covered with railway iron, supposed to 
have been impenetrable ; but the iron hail from 
our heavy guns on the gunboats was too much 
for them. The battered rails tumbled down, 



ARKANSAS POST. 207 

splinters from the timbers flew with fatal efi'ect 
among the Confederates ; the second shot entered 
a casemate and killed seven rebels ; by another, a 
caisson exploded, killing six men and nine 
horses." 

A correspondent who was in the action says : 
" The thundering artillery was grand and awful. 
Our fire was all concentrated upon the fort. 
Round shot and shell tore huge rents in the para- 
pet, dismounted guns, turned others round on 
their carriages and riddled the embrasures and 
barracks in the midst of a cloud of dirt and splin- 
ters and limbs of men. And still the garrison 
worked on. Twice they left their guns and were 
driven back at the point of the bayonet. They 
stood by their guns until eight heavy ones were 
disabled." The same correspondent, who was 
present at the taking of Fort Henry, and who 
witnessed also the battle between the Union gun- 
boats and the rebel fort at Arkansas Post, says 
that, "while the cannonade of the former was 
quite equal to that of the latter in mettle and res- 
olution, the firing of this last quite excelled it in 
aim and stubbornness." 

While this cannonade was at its height, our 
whole line — nine brigades of infantry — opened 



208 WAR PICTURES. 

upon the enemy's infantry, which was behind 
rifle-pits and abattis, in a line extending from the 
river below to the river above in our front. 4 The 
writer is unable to name the particular regiments 
engaged. The officers in command comj)liment 
the men highly, for the valor and coolness with 
which they fought. In return, the men praise 
their officers. Gens. Smith, Morgan, Sherman 
and McClernand are agreed on all hands to have 
done their whole duty, and done it well. The 
different batteries are also complimented for the 
precision and steadiness of their fire. The in- 
fantry and artillery both advanced, as it were 
step by step, raining upon the enemy a perfect 
shower of grape and canister; approaching to 
such a close proximity to the enemy that our men 
fought them with muskets and revolvers. 

The rebels held out, thus, until their artillery 
horses were shot down, and their cannon silenced 
for lack of men to work them. At last, find- 
ing their case a hopeless one, they raised a white 
flag, when all firing ceased. It was now about 
half-past four, p. m. Such a cheer went up 
when the white flag appeared, as was seldom 
heard. One of the brave boys remarked, in his 
correspondence, "You ought to have witnessed 



AKKANSAS POST. 209 

the scene, and heard the shouts. Cheer after 
cheer went up, making the very air tremble. 
We had fought them in their own strong-liold 
upon their own chosen ground; they behind 
strong, entrenched positions, and we in the open 
field ; and after three and a half hours hard fight- 
ing they were ours." Plow appropriate that he 
should exclaim in concluding his correspondence, 
" Glory to God in the highest ; and honor and 
praise to our brave boys who maintained on that 
day the old Stars and Stripes! " 

The same writer speaks in the highest praise 
and admiration of the part borne in the battle by 
the fleet. " It was no wonder," he says, " that 
we succeeded, when our gunboats went up within 
one hundred and fifty yards and silenced their 
120-pounder at two fires, without the loss of a 
man, and soon after other heavy guns of the fort ; 
then went up the river beyond and cut off the 
enemy's retreat. All did nobly, and behold the 
result! With the loss of only 350, killed and 
wounded, we took nearly 7000 prisoners, twenty 
cannon, 8000 small arms, their Gen., Churchill, 
and all their baggage, tents, mules, horses, with a 
large amount of army stores." It was a signal 



210 WAR PICTURES. 

victory, and in some measure atoned for the dis- 
aster before Yicksbnrg. 

The appearance of the prisoners taken at Ar- 
kansas Post, as I saw them soon afterwards, gave 
one but a poor idea of the attractions of the rebel 
service. Many of them had pieces of carpeting 
thrown over their shoulders, others hearth rugs, 
others coffee sacks and grain bags, with holes cut 
out for the head and arms ; others still were orna- 
mented with bed blankets, &c. Most of them 
wore butternut clothes, badly threadbare, while 
of shoes the greater portion were entirely desti- 
tute. Poor fools ! fighting, they knew not for 
what. Their appearance indicated not only pov- 
erty but ignorance. I could scarcely imagine a 
worse evil to come upon myself, than to be com- 
pelled to live in the midst of such a race. Should 
all the rain and desolation that seem to threaten 
be visited upon the South, there will be some 
consolation in knowing that it opens one of the 
finest countries in the world to a people better 
prepared to improve its advantages, and who 
may be expected to introduce there the arts and 
manners necessary to give tone to civilization and 
character to society. 



CHAPTEE X. 

CAIRO AND THE " CONTRABANDS." 

Contraband Camps Transferred to Cairo — Description of the Town 

— "Town Pumps" —Public Buildings — Mud and Rats— Society 

— A Six Months' Service — Negro Characteristics- Reverence— 
Teachableness — Loyalty — Att achment and Fidelity — Religious 
Susceptibility — The Vices Most Prevalent— Will they Fight? — 
How to Improve Them — Adieus. 

I return, now, to matters more personal to 
myself. In the autumn of 1862, it was decided 
to fix the Contraband Camp at Cairo, Illinois, 
and at that place it remained, until the spring of 
1863. Being retained still in charge, my sphere 
of duty was accordingly transferred to that some- 
what renowned city. In April of the year last 
named, the Camp was again removed to Island 
No. 10, and my own state of health requiring a 
change, Rev. B. Thomas, Chaplain of the 52d 
Illinois, was placed in charge, and to myself the 
duty temporarily assigned of collecting imple- 
ments, seed, &c., for the Island Farm, and cloth- 
ing for the poor blacks themselves. , 

(211) 



212 WAR PICTUKES. 

The name of Cairo, no doubt, is familiar to all 
my readers ; many of whom have probably visit- 
ed the place, while others have only heard of it 
"by the hearing of the ear." I venture the asser- 
tion, however, that the halt was never told — a 
complete pen-picture of Cairo, in fact, being wholly 
out of the question. It is a place, necessarily, of 
considerable importance. At the terminus of the 
Illinois Central Railroad, and the confluence of 
those two great rivers, the Ohio and the Missis- 
sippi, its location gives it an interest second to but 
few points south of Chicago and St. Louis. 
Since the commencement of the war, the Gov- 
ernment business here has been immense, not 
only employing a great number of workmen, but 
bringing into the place a large amount of capi- 
tal, thus imparting to it a life and animation un- 
paralleled in its former history. 

The town is built on a peninsula, which lies so 
low as to require a vast amount of filling in to 
make it safe in time of high water. The levee 
about the town, guarding it against the waters of 
the two rivers, cost immense sums, and still more 
expense will be needed to make the place secure 
against spring freshets. On the Ohio levee are 
noticed already several breaks which, if not re- 



"town pumps." 213 

paired before another season, will endanger the 
town. 

In the Spring of 1862, as we passed the place 
on our way to Tennessee, we were not a little 
amazed at seeing the pumps at work pumping 
water out of the town ; the first operation of the 
kind we ever chanced to witness. Well, Cairo 
is a complete tub, and unless it is filled up, steam 
power, or some other power, must be employed 
in pumj^ing out its waters. The power usually 
at work is steam. Whether "Darkie power" 
will ever be substituted for this remains to be 
seen. As things are now working such a substi- 
tution would be a great economy, as it is becom- 
ing quite common for Government, even, to em- 
ploy this species of power with as little thought 
of remuneration as if the black men were, in- 
deed, but a kind of machine. Many are employ- 
ed through the town, and turned off in the same 
manner. 

Cairo has a population of about 7000, and is 
surely destined, from its location, to become much 
larger. Its public buildings are not very preten- 
tious. The St. Charles, its principal hotel, stands 
on what seems amidst the surrounding flatness 
quite an eminence, and has somewhat of an im- 



214 WAR PICTURES. 

posing appearance. The churches are of ordinary 
size, but neat and attractive. The pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church, Rev. Mr. Stewart, we have 
often hstened to with interest and profit. He is 
one of that class of ministers who do not hesitate 
to declare "the whole counsel of God." He 
cannot fail of doing much good, in sowing the 
seed of life. 

Among the things most noticeable in Cairo is 
its 7nud. In tact one is tempted to pronounce 
this the greatest " institution " of the place. I, 
for one, have tested its adhesive qualities to my 
heart's content. Suffering from the effects of ill- 
ness during a part of my stay, and rather weak 
in the limbs, I really did not know on some occa- 
sions which would have the mastery. It sticks 
with wonderful tenacity — takes you deep down 
and holds you fast. 

I was often reminded of the anecdote told of a 
soldier on the Potomac. He was stuck in the 
mud — so the story goes — nearly up to his waist, 
and seeing Gen. Burnside and staff ride by, quo- 
ting words of the General addressed to the army 
on the morning before, he took off his hat, made 
a low bow, and very politely said, " General, 
the auspicious moment has arrived." I thought 



CAIRO EATS. 215 

I had seen mud before, on the "Western prairies, 
but I confess myself mistaken. If there is any- 
bottom to the Cairo tub, it is very hard to find, in 
some places. 

The town is also noted, as being a wonderful 
place for rats. Really, it is difficult to tell which 
have the best or the oldest claim, the rats or the 
people. They seem to pre- occupy every place 
built for human beings to inhabit. They are 
everywhere, in the garret and in the basement ; 
and in many instances, to show the priority of 
their claim, they work their way into the parlor, 
among the rosewood furniture and the Brussels 
carpets, leaving unmistakable signs of their visit. 
Solon Robinson of the Xew York Tribune^ testi- 
fies that this species ol the genus " Mus " is an 
almost intolerable nuisance in some portions of 
the United States ; they certainly are so in Cairo. 
If we were to judge of the age of these fellows 
from their size, we should infer that they began 
I to exist in no very remote period from the Amer- 
ican Revolution. On the w^hole, we should prefef 
to dwell in Cairo as a probationer, rather than as 
a permanent resident. 

The society of the place embraces some good 
citizens, with many of whom it was our pleasure 



216 . WAR PICTURES. 

to associate. Yet there is a floating element, 
brought in partly by the peculiarities of the loca- 
tion, which must curse any community. In such 
a state of things wholesome laws, rigidly enforced, 
are a paramount necessity. How much such a 
power must do in promoting the aims of good 
society, and how essential good society itself is to 
either protection or enjoyment, one learns very 
soon in communities or in sections of country 
where the social system has by any cause been 
thrown out of gear. Intelligence, refinement, 
morality and religion will make any people 
happy, provided the bulwarks of law, like the 
levees about Cairo, stand to guard them against 
the floods of wickedness that threaten to break in 
and ruin all. 

"Will the time ever come when peace and order 
shall be restored to those sections of the country 
where the war has brought such a complete up- 
turning of all the foundations? Will it ever 
come when North and South shall be one people 
again, united as they never before have been in 
one great brotherhood? Praj?, dear reader, that 
God will hasten it in his time. Pray for the 
return of peace and the prosperity of our nation. 



NEGEO PECULIAKITIES. . 217 

Six months sped away rapidly, notwithstandiDg 
the little annoyances and discomforts of which I 
have spoken. On the whole, my stay at Cairo 
was not so unpleasant as I had anticipated it 
might be. The work in hand was both interest- 
ing and laborious ; interesting, on account of its 
inviting character and encouraging results. The 
negro race are not beyond improvement ; on the 
contrary, they are peculiarly susceptible of it. 
They are wonderfully imitative beings, with a 
docility and impressibility entirely their own. 
They learn and learn fast. But one thing is 
remarkable ; tLey have never learned the habit of 
swearing. Dujng seven months' labor amongst 
them, I have not heard to exceed ten colored men 
swear. Does not this speak well for the black 
man? It. was quite a relief to leave the army, 
where there was so much obscenity and shock- 
ing profanity, and enjoy a little quiet where our 
ears were not constantly saluted with such unplea- 
sant sounds. 

To show the facility with which the colored 
race acquire knowledge, I will furnish a few 
items, as connected with the Freedman's School, 
which has been in progress for eleven weeks, 

10 



218 WAR PICTURES. 

only. The school opened Dec. 22d, 1862, with 
sixty scholars, and closed April 1st, with one 
hundred and twenty. There were twenty who 
learned the entire alphabet the first day ; of this 
number not one had ever been taught before. 
The whole number who have received instruction 
ia four hundred. The following books were fur- 
nished by friends at the North : Primary Lessons, 
350, First Eclectic Headers, 12, Elementary Spel- 
ling Books, 125, Testaments, 25, Bibles, 6 
Three hundred and sixty have learned the alpha- 
bet ; 340 to spell in three letters ; 60 in two sylla- 
bles ; 40 in three syllables ; 25 in four or more 
syllables ; 60 to read in easy sentences ; 10 have 
read the Eirst Eclectic Reader through ; 30 have 
commenced in the Eirst Reading Lessons; 25 
have commenced reading in the I^ew Testament. 
A great portion of the school repeat the Lord's 
Prayer and answer Scripture Questions. 

Although some learn faster than others, yet all 
show that they are susceptible of instruction, and 
of mental improvement. I believe that their 
capacities for education are equal to those of 
white children, and their thirst for learring 
rather greater. The improvement of my " Con- 
traband" charge, in other particulars, is deserv- 



TEACHABLENESS. 219 

ing of Special mention. As tliey are easy to 
imitate, they endeavor to equal, and many of 
them to excel the whites in their dress. Their 
persons are also kept more cleanly. The idea, 
too, that the negro will not work voluntarily, 
even when paid for his labor has been entirely 
exploded by the industry of the "Contrabands," 
while their shrewdness in many things shows 
that they are fully able to take care of them- 
selves. Some who have removed to the North 
and are providing for themselves, have purchased 
homes and manifest singular industry and econo- 
my. 

Educate the negro, permit him to rise in the 
scale of being and assert his own personality, and 
he is a man. At present he is degraded, and why 
should he not be L He is not himself. He has 
never been permitted to assert his own manhood. 
He is forbidden to enjoy those rights which are 
claimed as so inalienable by the white race. 
These are the causes of his depressed condition. 
But is he any lower than the serfs of Russia? 
It is impossible to exceed their degradation. Is 
he lower than the poor whites of the South ? It 
is remarked by all that the negro is in every 
respect their superior. His relations to his mas- 



220 WAR PICTURES. 

ter, perhaps, may be one cause of this. As to 
the coiascientioiis loyalty of the negroes of the 
South there can be no question. They have 
communicated to our soldiers a vast amount ol 
information, revealing plans of the enemj^ which 
have been matured and talked over in their hear- 
ing. Tlie information they have given, in all 
respects, has been found intelligent and reliable. 

The attachment and fidelity of this people to 
those whom they regard as benefactors, are won- 
derlul. Nothing is too much to render as a ser- 
vice in return for kindness. If they ever caught 
sight of me sweeping out my office or blacking 
my boots, they would at once offer their services 
and seemed hurt if refused. Many a boorish, 
selfish, blaspheming white man might learn from 
the negro he despises how to be a gentleman. 

The negro is remarkably open to religious 
influences." And he loves his religion, with his 
whole heart and soul. All he has in the world, 
often, is his religion. With nothing in the 
present, nothing earthly, that he can call his own, 
he looks with the more of intense faith and desire 
to the "durable riches" of heaven. The con- 
viction, too, that there the distinctions which 
separate them here into a despised and oppressed 



RELIGIOUS SUSCEPTIBILITY. 221 

class will be done away forever, is often alluded 
to bj them as a peculiarly joyful hope. 

An interesting revival of religion has existed in 
cam J) since our first connection with it. The in- 
terest manifested by the Christians amongst them 
for the conversion of others, appeared to be as 
real as we ever felt, or witnessed, and the deep 
agony of soul seemed to prey equally upon their 
spirits. The conversions appeared real and gen- 
nine, and I have no doubt that many are most 
earnest and devoted Christians who will shine in 
heaven. I have have been astonished, often, at 
the deep penitence manifested by those convicted ; 
as they went about for days in a mournful state 
of mind, w^ith their heads bowed down and 
groaning out the piteous complaint, " O that I 
knew where I might find him ! " And when 
they obtain peace in believing, it appears as real 
as any I have ever known. 

The writer has often received letters from those 
who have taken Contrabands from his camp, and 
in numerous instances most gratifying testimony 
to their piety is given. One lady writes, a little 
enthusiastically, that hers have more religion in 
exercise than all the town besides. Persons go a 
great distance to hear them talk and pray. 



222 WAR PICTITRES. 

And yet, while all these things encourage, 
there are others which have an opposite effect. 
The blacks have vices, undeniably, especially such 
as are the legitimate fruit of slavery ; created 
and fostered by it. Habits of falsehood, theft 
and sensuality are quite too common, and it will 
take time and patience to overcome them. There 
may be but faint hope that the present generation 
will be materially changed, in this respect. Fu- 
ture ones, however, may be expected to possess 
a new character. In the camps, besides, it is not 
alone the negroes who create perplexity and diffi- 
culty in the respects alluded to. The writer has 
had more trouble with white men, than with the 
negroes. And it must be admitted that for the 
colored people to wallow in the sty of sensuality 
is no worse than for those who ought, in con- 
sistence with their more ostentatious pretensions, 
at least, to set a better example. 

There is one thing truly remarkable in these 
poor people; — that one never hears them speak 
reproachfully of their late masters, however cruel 
they may have been to them. While they state 
the facts as they exist, with reference to the op- 
pressive treatment they have suffered, they ex- 
hibit no malevolent feelings. Almost univer- 



WILL THEY FIGHT? 223 

sally, tliey remember their masters in their 
prayers ; herein exhibiting the blessed spirit of 
the Gospel which requires that we love our ene- 
mies, and pray for them that despitefully use 
us. 

The question is often asked, " Will the blacks 
fight ? " The only guard I have had about my 
camp, in Cairo, was made up of colored men; 
and they were as bold and faithful as any I ever 
saw. They never leave a post till told to do so. 
In my humble opinion, they have the very best 
soldierly qualities. As an illustration: Some 
marines were found within our lines at a late 
hour of night violating the persons of females. 
The guards, according to my orders, arrested 
them. While on their way to the guard-house, 
one of the three troublesome fellows stopped and 
refused to go farther, when an altercation occur- 
red. One of the guard, finally, seeing that this 
was the only alternative, raised his gun and shot 
him through the heart. I have asked many if 
they wished to fight to save their country, and 
the response is always " Yes, Sah ! " They lack 
neither courage nor loyalty, and late events of 
the war have shown that for all the purposes of 
military service they are inferior to none. 



924: WAR PICTURES. 

There must be patience, forbearance and bene- 
volence in dealing with this poor people. The 
difficult problem of our relations to them can 
only be solved on principles of Christian charity, 
and in a broad view of humanity in its capabili- 
ties and rights. There is a basis of independence 
and improvement for every race of man. No 
one of all these races has been doomed to perpe- 
tual servitude either by divine decree, or by 
natural necessity. Allowing that certain distinc- 
tions must continue to prevail, and that races and 
classes must alike stand on higher or lower 
ground according to their capacities and habits, 
yet essential freedom and essential equality are 
the right of all. It is at least certain that to 
renew in other forms, among the freedmen, those 
very abuses which characterize slavery is no way 
to elevate and improve the blacks. For this rea- 
son we must all the more regret the too common 
customs of both officers and soldiers in the army 
towards these poor creatures. What hope can 
there be of substantial reformation, when what is 
done by those laboring directly for their good is 
undone again, and worse, by those who ought to 
act differently ? Instead of being their protect- 



CRUEL INJUSTICE. 225 

ors, their saviors, they are their destroyers, whum 
God will bring to account in the Great Day. 

I have spoken of the docility and natural gen- 
tleness of the black race. A passage in a late 
speech by Gerrit Smith is very much to the point 
on that subject. He says : 

" They are called the most patient and forgiv- 
ing of all the races. They will certainly prove 
that they are, if they can forget that monstrous 
and meanest crime of letting the thousands who 
toiled on the Vicksburg cut-off, fall again into the 
hands of the vindictive slave-holders ; and if they 
can also forget the innumerable instances in which 
slaves coming into our lines, some with very val- 
uable news of the designs and movements of the 
enemy, and all with hearts and hands to help us, 
have with satanic malignity been returned to the 
fate from which they had fled ; and if, in a word, 
they can forget our persistent ridicule, loathing 
and murderous hate of a people who have not 
done one wrong in return for the mountains of 
wrong under which we have buried them." 

Amidst the self-denial of my work amongst 

the "Contrabands," there was the satisfaction of 

knowing that it was in my power to make some 

atonement for the injustice that pursues this un- 

10* 



226 WAR PICTURES. 

happy people, in all the changes of their history, 
and which is scarcely less enormous in the Korth 
than in the £!-'^uth. 

But the time at last came when I must bid 
my charge adieu, perhaps forever. The abundant 
expressions of sorrow at the leave-taking satisfied 
me that my course with them had at least won 
their confidence and affection. And it was a 
reciprocal sorrow. One cannot but form strong 
attachments to those for whom, night and day, 
heart, brain and hands have toiled. Many of 
of them I hope to meet far beyond the scenes of 
strife and blood, in our Father's house on high. 



CHAPTER XI. 

INCIDENTS AND LESSONS. 

Evidences of Human Depravity — The chief Army Vices, Profanity 
and Sabbath-breaking — Judgments of God on the Profane — • 
Officers Largely Responsible — The Sweai-ing Surgeon — Sabbath 
Desecration — Often Unnecessary — President Lincoln's General 
Order— Col. Alban — Gen. Fisk — Thomas Shaw — Encourage- 
ments. 

Evidences of human depravity are seen every- 
where, yet in some places more than in others. 
I have often thought that if those who deny the 
Christian doctrine on this subject could visit the 
army, they would be compelled to yield the 
point ; especially if they were to mix freely with 
soldiers for any considerable length of time. 
There are many things in war and in army life to 
foster the worst human passions, to develop the 
brute and repress the man. The result, as seen 
among even the soldiers of the Union, is sad to 
contemplate. When I think of all I have wit- 
nessed I cannot wonder at the protracted charac- 

(237) 



228 WAR PICTURES. 

ter of the war, or the disasters that have marked 
its course. How can we hope that a righteous 
God will bless our arms, even in a righteous cause, 
while his name and his institutions and his laws 
are so frequently set at nought by both officers 
and men ? Were it not that, as 1 have shown 
and shall still have further occasion to illustrate, 
there is in the army, as also in the nation, the 
" ten righteous " for whose sake God will spare 
us, I should expect that America and its Republic 
will end like Israel and Babylon and Idumea. 

If we say nothing of our national sin of 
oppression, holding an entire race in bondage, 
there are in the army, as among the people at 
large, two prevalent vices which God cannot but 
regard with displeasure : profanity and Sabbath- 
breahing, I am pained to say what I must on 
this subject. Profanity is one of the worst evils 
in the army ; almost all soldiers being not only 
addicted to it, but practicing it in the worst form 
I have ever heard. Even the lads are taught to 
profane God's name with hardihood. Among 
teamsters this wickedness is almost universal. 
They seem to think they have special excuses for 
their profanity ; the stubbornness and ungovern- 
ableness of mules, the breaking now and then of 



PKOFANITT. 229 

a tongue to the wagon, or occasional upsetting in 
the mud where to reload is almost impossible. 
On such occasions their blasphemy is sometimes 
awful. I have heard wicked men among the 
soldiers, shocked by the profanity of teamsters, 
declare that they would never swear again. Ex- 
amples have occurred, besides, of the just judg- 
ment of God upon this great sin. 

One morning, while on my customary round at 
one of the hospitals, I found a dear young man 
who had been sick several days, clinging to life 
with wonderful tenacity, now in the agonies of 
death. A soldier standing near by was heard to 
curse and swear. Contrary to my usual habit, I 
reproved hiin shari3ly, saying to him that it was 
the strangest exhibition of depravity I had ever 
seen. That a man could swear thus at the bed- 
side of a dying fellow-creature was, I told him, 
most amazing ; that it debased a man even below 
brutality. He made some reply, that he lived in 
a free country where the rights of free speech 
were allowed, and passed on. The following 
morning, as I was on my way to the hospital as 
usual, I learned that a soldier had just been found 
dead in his tent. I stepped in, and to my sur- 
prise found it was the man who on the day pre- 



230 WAR PICTURES. 

vious was cursing, under such awful circumstan- 
ces, the Being who made him. Never did I so 
feel the justice and the power of the ever-present 
God. 

An instance is also before me, one it is to be 
feared out of multitudes, of soldiers cut off sud- 
denly in the midst of sin: "Alexander M 

was a child of many prayers, and an only son. 
Often had he been warned by both father and 
mother to turn to the Lord, but he heeded it not. 
Many a time has his father said in the prayer- 
meeting, ' O, brethren, pray for my only son. 
He is very wicked, and heeds hot my advice, or 
my prayers.' Shortly before this war he married 
and for a time attended to his business ; then he 
followed bad companions again, grieving her 
whom he had made his wife. In June '61 he 
enlisted and bade his wife and babe a last fare- 
well. His aged mother wept bitterly, and com- 
mitted him to God. In a skirmish with the reb- 
els on the Kanawha river, he was shot in the 
hand, arm and side. The latter wound caused 
him to fall. He had fought with great bravery. 
He was carried off the field and his wounds were 
dressed, and soon after was placed on board a 
steamer for Cincinnati. When within a few 



JUDGMENTS* OF GOD. 231 

miles of home he died. Before he expired he 
exclaimed, * O, my wife ; my child ; my mother ! 
I would like to see them before I die!' This 
was not granted him. It is feared that he died a 
stranger to Christ." Surely, surely, men who 
are thus " in peril every hour " should be pre- 
pared to meet God. In no case is heaven-daring 
sin so fearful as where the account of it may be 
demanded, as in the case of the soldier, at any 
moment. 

The officers must be held largely responsible 
for the prevalence of profanity among the men. 
Instead of availing themselves of the power 
which the articles of war give them to repress 
this vice, they, as a rule, allow it to prevail 
unchecked, and even encourage it by their exam- 
ple. Yery frequently, as might be expected, 
the habit of swearing, in officers, is found associ- 
ated with other evidences of brutality. An in- 
stance of this is furnished me by Rev. James 
Delany, Chaplain of the 18th Wisconsin, in 
and subsequently to the terrible Shiloh battle. 
That regiment became disorganized on the first 
day of the battle in consequence of its losses. 
Some of the survivors next day joined other 



232 WAE PICTURES. 

regiments and fought on until not a rebel could 
be seen. 

" Among these was a young man of nineteen. 
He was stout, wiry, athletic. Anywhere and ev- 
erywhere he was a stranger to fear. Being de- 
tailed one day, shortly after the battle, to go to 
the Landing for supplies, he got in among those 
half-tamed, outlandish animals called Diules. 
For some reason or other they became exasper- 
ated and fractious. He was so terribly crushed 
in the melee that he died in a few days. If his 
sufferings corresponded with the heart-rending 
nature of his screams before death, they must 
have been fearful. He passed from delirium to 
delirium, and throughout the whole his cries for 
his mother were most piteous. 

" I then messed with the medical staff, and 
once at the mess we had some conversation about 
the poor sufferer. One of the surgeons vocifera- 
ted that he was a worthless coward (with oaths 
which I will not repeat, ) that the best medicine 
for him would be a large raw-hide or beach gad 
to whip him soundly out of his nest to his duty. 
It took, however, but a short time to end his 
earthly sufferings and the surgeon's questionable 
conduct towards him. The assistant surgeon, 



SWEARING SIJKGEONS. 23 



o 



after the poor fellow's death, a man of suinewliat 
more humanity, found an opportunity to perform 
a jpost morte7n examination, in which he discov- 
ered a rupture of the gall bladder so terrible 
that the vitality of ten men would have failed 
under it. 

" Other instances might be cited " the same ex- 
cellent brother adds, " in the conduct of officers 
towards their inferiors, flagrantly opposed, not 
only to the dictates of common humanity, but to 
every written article and regulation of the ser- 
vice. Men had to hear it said that they might 
die and be d — d, but they should not be dis- 
charged ; when it amounted to almost a certainty 
that their lives would have been saved by being 
discharged." 

Another great evil in the army is Sabbath des- 
ecration, which exists to an alarming extent. 
The question often arises, why is it so ? Have 
all these men been accustomed at home thus to 
disregard God's hol;y day ? Or have they laid off 
the restraint once felt, imagining that as soldiers 
they may do what, as citizens, they would disap- 
prove like others? Some of them no doubt were 
taught, and were habituated, at home, to rever- 
ence the Sabbath. The temptations and the evil 



234: WAR PICTUEES. 

associates surrounding them have wrought the 
melancholy change. Others are in the army 
what they have always been. 

Here, again, those in official stations must be 
held in a large degree responsible. When the men 
are required to do unnecessary duty on the Sab- 
bath, and find that the service makes no distinc- 
tion of days, and no acknowledgement of God or 
his law, it is not wonderful that they should think 
recreations no worse than what they are compell- 
ed to do. Occasions will arise when Sabbath ob- 
servance, in an army, is out of the question. 
Yet is there " a military necessity " for the Pay- 
masters to appropriate this day for the paying off 
of the soldiers ? Is it absolutely necessary that 
the men should be paid on the Sabbath ? Would 
they suffer or the service suffer, if this ceremony 
was performed on Saturday or deferred until 
Monday ? If they are paid off on the Sabbath 
letters must at once be written, the Express Offi- 
ces be visited and the money deposited, to be 
sent to friends. Why could not all this.be just 
as well done on another day, and thus leave the 
Sabbath, save in so far as military duty had posi- 
tive demands, to employment more becoming 
holy time ? 



SABBATH DESECRATION. 235 

And again, is it necessary that we should have 
our splendid reviews on the Sabbath ? On some 
other day of the week it may be well for such pa- 
rades to occur. They show to our army its 
strength and excite military emulation. But 
why so almost universally on the Sabbath? I 
cannot but think this a sacrilegious violation of 
divine law for which we are held accountable. 

Facts such as I have indicated are very gloomy 
and depressing in their suggestions. I speak of 
them that public attention may be directed to 
the need of reform in these particulars, and that 
praying people, especially, may see what occa- 
sion there is for us as a nation to humble our- 
selves before God. There is, however, a brighter 
side. Occasional incidents show that there are 
men in official stations who feel their responsibil- 
ities. Our present Chief Magistrate has shown 
much ot the spirit of Washington, in this re- 
gard; his proclamations often recognizing God 
and divine institutions in terms most becoming, 
and with injunctions that would remedy the evils 
spoken of if they were properly attended to. In 
one of these proclamations, issued in November, 
1862, he says: "The importance for man and 
beast of the prescribed weekly rest; the sacred 



236 WAR PICTURES. 

rights of Cliristian soldiers and sailors; a becom- 
ing deference to the best sentiment of a Christian 
people, and a due regard for the divine will de- 
mand that Sunday labor in the army and navy 
be reduced to the measure of strict necessity. 
The discipline and character of the national 
forces should not suffer, nor the cause they de- 
fend be imperilled by the profanation of the day 
or the name of the Most High. At this time of 
public distress, adopting the words of Washing- 
ton in 1776, ' Men may find enough to do in the 
service ot God and their country, without aban- 
doning themselves to vice and immorality.' The 
first general order issued by the Father of his 
Country, after the Declaration of Independence, 
indicates the spirit in which our institutions were 
founded, and should ever be defended: 'The 
General hopes and trusts that every officer and 
man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a 
Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights 
and privileges of his country.' " 

There are officers in the army who enter heart- 
ily and practically into the spirit of the above no- 
ble words. Such a man was Col. Alban, of the 
18th Wisconsin, w^ho fell at Shiloh at the very 
outset of a career that promised the best things. 



COL. ALBAN. 237 

The chaplain of his regiment says of him: "lie 
had been a lawyer by profession, and had served 
in the Wisconsin Legislature. He was not a 
church member ; but I have understood that he 
once adopted Presbyterian views of doctrine and 
church government, and was immersed on a pro- 
fession of the Christian faith. He w^as a man of 
pleasing address, much affability and suavity of 
manner. He treated me with the greatest defer- 
ence. His disapprobation of irreligious conduct, 
and especially ot irreverence in regard to the 
name and cause of God was firm, unqualified, 
and yet very courteous: 

"The day before our arrival at Pittsburgh 
Landing, he issued several regimental orders, 
and among them was one forbidding gambling of 
every description. He told me his next step 
would be to suppress profanity. He wished his 
regiment to bear a reputation not only for patri- 
otism, bravery and military fortitude, but for a 
high order of moral character. This was very 
encouraging to me ; but, alas, it was only of 
short duration. On the afternoon of the 30th of 
March, 1861, he was with his regiment on board 
the train between Milwaukee and Chicago, des- 
tined, as was thought, for Benton Barracks, St. 



238 WAR PICTURES. 

Louis. On the 6tli of April, precisely a week 
from that time, he was mortally wounded on 
the bloody field of Shiloh. 

"He was shot about three in the afternoon. 
The ball that struck him was one of the largest 
sized minies. As soon as practicable he was car- 
ried to the Landing and placed in the cabin at 
the Hiawatha. I was present, with two or 
three others. A surgeon, a stranger to us all, 
who extracted the ball, took me one side and told 
me tha,t my Colonel was mortally smitten. He 
said I had better ask him if he had any direc- 
tions to leave for his family. I addressed him 
accordingly. He received the surgeon's opinion 
and suggestions with serene composure. With 
the utmost firmness and fortitude he gave such 
instructions as he deemed appropriate, respecting 
his secular affairs. I bent over him with pro- 
found solemnity and trembling emotions, and re- 
minding him of the fact that he recognized me 
only a few da^^s before as a spiritual adviser, I 
asked him what I should say to him in this trying 
hour. 

" Said he, ' Chaplain, do your duty.' 
" I then presented to him to the Lamb of God, 
when he said that was the ground, the only 




CHAPLAIN, DO YOUR DUTY." 



GEN. FISK. 239 

groimd of the hope he cherished. He died at 
Savanna about eleven o'clock on the evening r>f 
the 7th. April. 

" Thus fell, at the head of his regiment, a man 
of lofty patriotism and indomitable bravery ; an 
irreparable loss to the noble body of men he com- 
manded ; an irretrievable loss to his family, and 
no trifling loss to the country at large — another 
victim of a diabolical rebellion and war." 

In further illustration of the fact that among 
army officers, some of them in high command, 
faithful, working Christians are found, I am per- 
mitted by B. F. Jacobs Esq., Secretary of the 
Army Committee of the Young Men's Christian 
Association, in Chicago, to copy here a letter to 
him from Gen. Clinton B. Fisk. Gen. Fisk, at 
the time of writing, was in command of the Sec- 
ond Brigade, Thirteeath Division of the Thir- 
teenth Army Corps, and his letter is dated " Tal- 
lahatchie Eiver, Miss., near Fort Pemberton, 
March 28th, 1863." I take such portions as will 
interest the public : 

Deak Sir and Brother: 

I am glad to be remembered by my Chicago 
friends when they gather at the mercy-seat. O, how much 
we need to be borne up on the pinions of the prayers of a 
Christian people ! How the tide of iniquity surges through 
our camps, and submerges the faltering, cowardly "soldier 



240 WAR PICTURES. 

of the Cross " 1 I am doing all I can to keep my men mind- 
ful that their jirst allegiance is to King Emanuel, their first 
dvjty to the banner of the Cross. We need, in the army, all 
the influence and power for good that can be given us by our 
Chrisiian friends at home. Pray for us; write the soldiers 
letters; appeal to them by their love of home and mother, 
wife and sister, God and heaven, to abstain from every evil 
tiling. 

Whenever circumstance3 and surroundings permit, I have 
a brigade meeting on Sabbaths. I usually conduct them my- 
s*-lf, and I assure you I have been greatly blessed of God in 
these meetings. Some of the best prayer-meetings I have 
ever attended have been among my soldiers in camp. 

A few evenings since we gathered on the decks of our 
steamboats, as we were "tied up" in the wilderness on our 
passage down. It was perfectly grand to hear the voices of 
th^ singers, as the notes of their sacred song echoed through 
the woods and canebrakes. Never before had there been 
such a meeting on the Tallahatchie as was that. From one 
party you could hear, 

"Fight on, my soul, till death 
Shall bring thee to thy God." 
Another sung, 

" Sure I must fight if I would reign, 
Increase my courage, Lord." 

And again, 

" Then let my soul march boldly on, 
Press forward to the heavenly gate.'* 
»'Rock of Ages, cleft for me," "Home, sweet Home," 
" Praise God from whom all blessings flow." An old slave, 
from whose trembling limbs the shackles fell that night, de- 
clared "'Fore God, massa, I thought the day of judgment 
had come sure and sartain." 
God bless you. 

Yours faithfully, 

Clinton B. Fisk, Brig. Gen'l Vol. 



THOMAS SHAW. 241 

One of Gen. Fisk's methods for influencing his 
men is seen in a card that now lies before me. 
On one side is the following : 

Fellow Soldiers : 1 he novelty of Camp life youVe felt ; the 
excitement of parade music and the equipage of military you 
understand ; possibly somewhat of honor and title rests upon 
you. 

Does this satisfy the immortal part ? does it feed the soul ? 

Do you not, above all things, need to know Christ and his 
love? 

On the other side the following : 

" Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right 
spirit within me. Cast me not away fVom thy presence, and 
take not thy Holy Spirit from me." — Psa. 51 : 10, 11. 

Clinton B. Fjsk. 

Yery useful men are found, also, in the rank 

and file ; humble, but faithful, " poor, yet making 

many rich." A correspondent says: "One of 

the most pious and devoted Christians from Ohio 

was Thomas Shaw, a Baptist. He enlisted in the 

beginning of the war. He was, at the time, a 

poor young man, an orphan, and in order to get 

his education at a school in Lebanon took the 

place of janitor and sawed wood in his leisure 

hours. He was greatly beloved for his simple, 

fervent piety. He was a devoted and faithful 

Sunday school teacher. His class loved him ; he 

longed to become a preacher of the Gospel. 

The night before he left Lebanon, he took his 

11 



242 WAE PICTIIKES. 

wood-saw to a church member and desired him to 
sell it and give the proceeds to Foreign Missions. 
He gave his all ! His influence in the regiment 
was mos.t blessed. He had more spiritual power 
over the men than almost any chaplain; held 
prayer-meetings and exhorted his fellow-soldiers 
to come to Jesus and follow him. His labors 
were greatly blessed. He was drowned in the 
Kanawaha, West Yirginia. His death was deeply 
regretted." Thus it will be seen that among both 
officers and men there is the savor of the true 
Christian salt. The fact may encourage those 
who appreciate the importance, in every view, 
of such an influence, and who have mourned 
over the ungodliness that too much prevails in 
the patriot army. 



CHAPTEK XII, 

SOUTH AND NORTH. 

A "Smart Town"— A Female Rebel— The "Butternut" Gentry 

— Southern Refinement — Antagonisms — Bitterness of the War 

— When will it End? — The Better Policy — Anxious Friends — 
Chaplains — Letter from a Lady — We shall Conquer — Conclu- 
sion. 

Jackson, Tenn., may be taken as a specimen of 
a "right smart" Southern town. It is on the 
Ohio and Mobile Railroad, and at the junction 
with this of the Mississippi Railroad, leading to 
Grand Junction and Memphis. Situated in a 
healthy and fertile part of the state it is, in many 
respects, a delightful place. Its inhabitants are 
mostly wealthy, made so by the product of cot- 
ton, which is raised there in abundance. Wealtli 
being the hand-maid of Aristocracy in the South, 
the people of Jackson have, of course, very de- 
cided aristocratic tendencies, as haughty as they 
are opulent. It is a town of about twelve liun- 

(243) 



244 WAR PICTTTRES. 

dred white population. Considerable attention 
seems to be paid to education, as there is a flour- 
ishing Female Academy in the village. The edi- 
fice is of brick. At the outbreak of this war a 
flourishing school was in operation there. It is 
hardly necessary to say that the people are as 
disloyal as they are rich and purse-proud. 

Of this latter fact the writer encountered an il- 
lustration far from pleasing. One day, while 
passing down the principal street of the village, 
a woman was noticed approaching, fashionably 
dressed and with all the airs of a tine lady. As 
she drew near she stepped from the side-walk 
into the street, and held her delicate hand to her 
nose until the offensive " Yankee " had passed 
by. I had heard of similar demonstrations in 
other parts of the South, but this was my own 
first, and only, experience of the kind. The in- 
cident was amusing and yet provoking. The 
side-walk was ample for both. She was quite 
welcome to even that liberal measure of it which 
her fashionable outfit of course made necessary. 
Her excess of politeness in surrendering the 
whole was like that "vaulting ambition" of some 
men which "o'erleaps itself and falls on t'other 
side." There was no room for doubt as to the 



BUTTERNUT GENTRY. 245 

light in whicli she at least tried to regard " Yan- 
kees." 

It is, of course, fair to suppose that the " but- 
ternut gentry " of ner own " sunny South " 
would have been esteemed every way preferable 
for street associations, at least. My Northern 
friends have some of them seen specimens, and 
can judge for themselves of their personal at- 
tractions. I can testify, however, that not only 
the Southern army, but the mass of the Southern 
population is made up of the same ignorant, 
seedy, tobacco-chewing, blaspheming sort, badly 
troubled with what Gen. Riley calls "the outs at 
the toes," and " outs " at the elbows as well ; la- 
zy, shiftless, good-for-nothing fellows, the easy 
dupes of their Southern demagogues, and scarce- 
ly even fit food for Northern powder. 

One interesting young hopeful -of this class 
said to me one day, ''Dad has promised that 
when I become twenty-one, I shall have a horse- 
rake. The Yankee boys say that they rake 
twenty acres a day. I dont know how in the 
world it is made. Who studied that ar' thing 
up?" 

I told him we had so many such things that 
were superior, that we thought very little of 



24:6 WAR PICTURES. 

Jwrse-rakes. What has long been a very common- 
place thing among inventions, with us, was to 
him a species of miracle. 

My lady-friend in Jackson, however, can hard- 
ly be said to represent the sentiments of all 
Southern damsels with regard to the Yankee 
boys. One of them, for example, declared to her 
mother, "I dont care a — (I omit the coarse and 
profane expression,) they du look right smart. 
They must have a right smart chance of laming.'^'' 
There is no doubt that a well-dressed Yankee boy 
has attractions for the Tennessee young ladies. 

JSTow that I am on the subject of Southern pe- 
culiarities, I may as well allude to a practice 
which, described by others, has also fallen fre- 
quently under my own observation. The "Fe- 
male-Dippers" of the South are likely to be- 
come famous in their way ; — not less so than the 
" Clay-Eaters " so graphically daguerreotyped by 
Edmund Kirke in "Among the Pines." The 
"ladies" of the South seldom practice dipping 
openly, but the poorer classes among the whites 
are habitually, and almost universally, addicted 
to it. The first time the writer saw it, he expe- 
rienced some curious sensations. The person 
was a colored woman, who took from her pocket 



FEMALE DIPPERS. 247 

a box into which she dipped a stick. Then rub- 
bing this on her teeth, she held it in her mouth for 
some time. I asked what she called that. She 
said "Dipping." I asked her what she dipped 
her stick into. She said, " Snuff.'^ 

The way is to take a box, or bottle, of snuff, 
and then take a stick and chew the end of it, 
making a kind of brush. With this they rub the 
teeth, having first applied it to the snuff. One 
can imagine how much such a practice adds to 
the native female charms. At the time I sup- 
posed that the custom was limited to the negro 
women ; but I was soon informed that it is gen- 
eral among the females of the South, without 
distinction of color. Nor is it confined to the 
poorer classes, as I have since ascertained. 
Many who are called "ladies" indulge in the 
same habit, though more privately. 

It has been customary, I believe, to regard the 
Southern States as in advance of the Northern, 
in point of general refinement. The wealthy 
and aristocratic planter has often been contrasted 
with the New England farmer much to the disad- 
vantage of the latter. If it be superior refine- 
ment to hold labor in contempt, then we must 
yield the palm to our " Southern brethren." If a 



248 .WAR PICTURES. 

man is a gentleman in proportion as lie is idle 
and dissolute, and a woman a lady in the measure 
of her frivolity and extravagance, then the gentle- 
men and ladies of this continent must be sought 
for in the Southern States. After admitting, 
which I do most freely, that there are in the 
South numerous most noble specimens of man- 
hood and womanhood, I must still maintain that 
the species of refinement which slavery tends to 
produce is such as I have described. And I may 
add that this sort of Southern refinement is very 
largely found amongst the secessionists. 

The desire I once felt to become, myself, a 
resident South, has been much moderated by my 
experiences and observations there. I am quite 
contented, now at least, with the New England 
and Western type of social culture, l^or does 
the broad distinction of classes in the South help 
the difficulty. Caste is a benefit neither to those 
whom it favors, nor those whom it oppresses. In 
the one it nurtures pride and every unlovely 
passion, the other it degrades into a cringing serf 
when in the presence of his superior, into a cruel 
tyrant whenever he has opportunity to be, him- 
self, in some contemptible way, "lord of the 
ascendant." 



HOSTILE SECTIONS. 249 

Perhaps it was unavoidable that between two 
sections of the same country so intensely con- 
trasted as the South and the North, a collision 
should occur. *'How can two walk together 
except they agree ?" and when did people so 
utterly disagree as have the Southerner and 
]N"ortherner during the generation just past? I 
allude, of course, to the characteristic class in 
each section; not to "the Northern man with 
Southern principles," nor to the Southern man 
whose nobility of nature has protected him 
against the evil of his surroundings ; but to the 
characteristic Southerner and Northerner. For 
these two to live in peace even within such a 
wide domain as that of the American Union, was 
out of the question, especially while the "peculiar 
institutions " of each were all the while fostering 
and intensifying the differences. 

And now that the collision has come, when and 
how will it cease? "When will the war end? 
This is a question in which every one who reads 
these pages, probably, feels an interest more or 
less profound. "With many it is an interest deep- 
ly mournful. In the language of the eloquent 
Dan. S. Dickinson, "How many brave spirits 
have been quenched forever, because of this 



11 



* 



250 WAR PICTURES. 

shameful, sinful division, by reason of this miser- 
able political ambition to raise up a successful 
party at home, to gain office and spoils. 

* There is no flock, however watched and tended, 
But one dead lamb is there. 
There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended, 

But has one vacant chair. 
The air is full of farewells to the dying 
And mourning for the dead; 
The heart of Rachel, for her children crying, 

Will not be comforted.' " 

The question we have asked becomes more 
difficult, when we take into account what has 
above been said of the numerous and bitter anta- 
gonisms that enter into all the issues of this war. 
It is much like a war of races, where the ostensi- 
ble questions involved are complicated with 
differences and dislikes, prejudices and hates, 
that are the growth of generations, or centuries. 
The pride of section, too, makes '.he struggle 
more desperate. To which must be added, on 
the part of the Southern leaders, a custom ot 
underrating Northern men, and a habit of dom- 
ineering that was largely cultivated in the halls 
of the national Congress. An easy, or speedy 
subduing of the Hebellion ought not to have been 
anticipated by any one at the outset. 'Nov must 
we look, even now, for its suppression without 



WAK POLICY. ,251 

more desperate efforts on the part of its leaders 
to keep it alive and resist the advancing armies 
of the Union. How long, and diligently, and 
shrewdly, the war was prepared for by them is 
now well known. They will doubtless continue 
to prosecute it while treason has a leg to stand on. 
The changes that have recently been made in 
the management of the war, however, afford to 
the country a most hopeful augury. There is 
every reason to believe that progress in subduing 
the Kebellion will be much more rapid hereafter 
than it has been heretofore. While we were 
never so strong and they never so weak as at this 
moment, the war measures of the Government 
have now the nerve which they lacked during the 
first weary, dismal months of the struggle ; and 
the leaders of our armies, at least those in high 
position, are now men in whose military energy, 
as well as their patriotism, deserved confidence is 
expressed. It was well remarked, at the time 
when the effects of an opposite policy were so 
bitterly felt, "Expostulation, the whole sugar- 
plum policy, have thus far done as well as they 
would with a volcano, or a mad tiger ; and they 
will continue to do so. War must subdue these 
barbarous, ignorant rebels ; military war — not 



252 WAR PICTURES. 

rosewater war ; war that advances, fights, con- 
quers, prevails." With equal truth it has been 
said that, "delay is a thousand-fold murder. It 
is constant agony to wait for advances under 
such circumstances. Every minute is a life 
flown wastefully away." How fearfully was this 
proved in that most inglorious Peninsular cam- 
paign, when a " Young Kapoleon," at the head 
of the finest army any General ever commanded, 
" marched up the hill and then — marched down 
again ;" — in the operation sacrificing thousands ol 
precious lives and filling thousands of Northern 
homes with grief that could not be comforted. 

Mr. Browning, the Illinois Senator, has well 
said : " Timid measures are treason now. It is 
bold, active, decided men, men with nerve 
enough to neglect precedent and all the past, and 
with resolute hand reach torth to grasp the future, 
that we want in the President's chair, in the 
National Councils, and for Generals in the field. 
This is no time for Conservatives, men who have 
no eyes save in the backs of their heads." This 
is what the people have asked for from the first. 
They have always been in advance of their rulers 
and leaders in respect to a vigorous war policy. 
Thank Heaven ! they have it at last. 



WAR POLICY. 253 

And herein, under God, lies all our hope of a 
speedy decision of this tremendous struggle. 
But it is an essential feature of such a policy that 
rebellion be struck at in all its vital points, and 
weakened most where it is strongest. "Whatever 
it be which most feeds and fosters rebellion it 
must be taken without hesitation ; if property in 
slaves, confiscate it ; let there be none left to sow 
or to harvest the crops that support the army of 
treason, or to perform fatigue work within their 
lines. Take their slaves, and the right arm of 
their strength is smitten. Every slave taken is a 
soldier lost to them ; and one better than any or- 
dinary Southern soldier for the kind of fatigue 
duty alluded to. Take their slaves, besides, and 
each Southern household would at once and clam- 
orously demand that some one, at least, of its 
present representatives in the rebel army be sent 
home to look after the wants and safet}^ of the 
family. Then our army must forage on the 
country. There is nothing for it but to make the 
South what it avowedly is, the enemy's land. 

How, when rebellion is subdued, the revolted 
States are to be brought again into their old rela- 
tions to the Union, whether as States or as Terri- 
tories, whether by occupancy as a conquered 



254: WAR PICTUEES. 

country, or by calling into use whatever of Union 
sentiment and strength may still be left, I do not 
assume to say. I doubt if any man can, or 
ought, now express on that point any decided 
opinion. But I do not doubt that when the time 
comes to meet that question as a practical one, 
Providence will be found to have prepared our 
way so that its settlement will prove far less diffi- 
cult than we now anticipate. Let the loyal peo- 
ple, the Government and the army do their 
present work. God will take care of all else. 

But South and North are now, in one respect, 
in a new and most affecting relation to each 
other. No tongue can tell, with what yearning 
desire thought and fear and hope are now turned 
toward those Southern regions, by thousands in 
the loyal States. I cannot close without a few 
words with reference to these. And yet, it is 
most interesting to observe how with these anxie- 
ties love of country mingles. Many a mother 
has been heard to exclaim, " If I were a man I 
would go and fight for my country." As they 
have laid their sons upon the altar, of sacrifice it 
may be, they have exclaimed, " Show yourselves 
to be true and brave. If you are to die for your 
country, die facing the foe." 



Al^XIOUS FBIENDS. 255 

Others feel no little solicitude in view of the 
temptations and evil influences to which their 
sons are exposed in the army — influences which 
ruin many a youth and consequently bring sor- 
row upon many a parent, anxious for their soul's 
well-being. I have not hesitated to show, in pre- 
vious pages, how real and how much to be dread- 
ed are these perils. I shall not have written in 
vain, if what has been said, falling under the 
eye of some young soldier, shall efiectually 
warn him, or of his Christian friends at home 
shall stir them up to pray. I shall not then be 
sorry to have spoken plainly, with whatever re- 
luctance. 

I may also, and I trust without egotism, once 
more assure the Christian people of the North, 
that they are not so poorly represented as they 
are sometimes said to be, by those who labor in 
the army for the spiritual welfare of the soldiers. 
There are good reasons why Chaplains are not 
more efficient; they accomplish what they do 
even in the face of great difficulties and discour- 
agements. There is a studied aim on the part of 
too many officers to dishearten and hinder the 
Chaplain in his work. And is it then just, or 
even decent, for these very officers to turn about 



256 WAR PICTUKES. 

and abuse the men whom they have themselves 
prevented, to the utmost of their power, from do- 
ing their duty ? I sympathize, most fully, in 
these words of a correspondent : " Chaplains will 
go home at the expiration of the war, loved and 
honored, while their pitiable calumniators will 
pass into merited oblivion. When the national 
banner shall proudly wave from ocean to ocean, 
and from the Lakes to the Gulf, myriads from 
the rank and file will return to their friends 
through the instrumentality of these humble 
Chaplains, more virtuous, more manly, and more 
worthy of respect and love than when they left ; 
nay, every way superior to those who are ever 
finding fault with the religious teacher and the 
patriotic soldier." Let those who feel such anxi- 
eties as those 1 have described in regard to the 
moral and spiritual prospects of the soldiers re- 
member the Chaplains, have confidence in them, 
and jpray for them. 

Another class of anxieties relates to the expos- 
ure and sujQferings of those who have left happy 
homes for the roughness and danger of army life. 
Many touching expressions of the watchful, 
anxious love of the beloved ones left behind have 



ANXIOUS FRIENDS. 257 

come under my notice. If I copy one here, it 
will, I know, meet a response in many hearts : 

" Rev. Mr. Rogers : 

^'■Dear Sir, — 

" It is with great regret I inform you 

of my friend Mrs. S 's terrible bereavement. She learns 

by a letter from Capt M , of the 18th Regiment, that her 

excellent husband died of typhoid fever in Montgomery, 
Ala. The simple fact is all she has heard. She is in great 
distress of mind and completely stricken with grief. Indeed, 
my dear Sir, I fear she thinks a merciful Providence has 
hidden his face from her. Will you please write immediate- 
ly everything consoling, if, indeed, aught can be said, to bind 
up her broken heart. 

" The only suggestion I have made which at all seems to 
pacify her sorrow, is the assurance I feel that her thoughtful 
husband might have left comforting messages with some one 
for her. Should you see any of the parolled prisoners, 
please make every possible inquiry. Could she know he was 
cared for on his sick bed and prepared for the change of 
worlds, she would bear her burden with comparative cheer- 
fulness. All seems very dark to her now, although we do all 
a most affectionate interest suggests, as our hearts are filled 
with sympathy for her. One common bond of anxiety has 
united us for the last three months, and friendship united by 
sorrow is the strongest in the world. 

"Hoping this may produce a very comforting letter to 
Mrs. S , who is much attached to you: and with my kind- 
est wishes for your health and safe return, I am 

"Very sincerely your friend 

"E. B." 

The intelligent lady who wrote the above was, 
at the time, passing through deep sorrow, occa- 
sioned by a wound which her husband received 



258 WAR PICTURES. 

at the battle of Shiloh while gallantly leading 
his men on to victory ; a wound which at that 
time threatened his life, but from which I am 
happy to say he has recovered and returned to 
active duty in his regiment. 

There are many such sad hearts in the TsTorth. 
God will comfort them. I^or will these sacrifices 
be in vain. They are the nation's ordeal. Out of 
this furnace we shall come in due time, and shall 
confess that it is better to suffer than to sin ; bet- 
ter to have paid the price of national union than 
to have shrunk from the sacrifice and in conse- 
quence fallen into dismemberment and the evils 
that could not fail to ensue. As my last word let 
me say that I hope well for the nation and for the 
Union cause. We shall conquer, and resume in 
due time our career of greatness and of blessing 
to mankind. 

" O, native land ! how clear thy mission 
And thy destiny how grand I 
Hold high thy starry banner 
With a firm and loyal hand. 
Be still amongst the nations, 
"Where'er men bleed, or toil, or pray, 
Liberty's mailed apostle 
In the stormy latter day." 




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